The Volta River Authority (VRA) has revealed plans to transform the iconic Akosombo Hydroelectric Dam into a power battery reserve, a move aimed at strengthening Ghana’s energy security and supporting the country’s transition to renewable energy.
Speaking to Parliament’s Energy Committee during a briefing at Akosombo on Saturday, September 27, VRA’s Acting Chief Executive Officer, Ing. Edward Ekow Obeng-Kenzo, said the initiative is currently at the feasibility study stage.
How the “Battery” System Will Work
Ing. Obeng-Kenzo explained that the project seeks to preserve water in the dam during daytime solar generation and release it in the evening when solar power is unavailable.
“As we transition to renewables, and because renewables are interruptible power, when you run the solars during the daytime, in the evenings they are off. So what we want to use at Akosombo is as a battery,” he said.
“During the daytime when the solars are running, we’ll preserve the water in Akosombo, and in the evening we’ll bring Akosombo on board. So it acts as a battery and saves the country. Once successful, we can scale this for the whole of West Africa because of our huge water resource.”
This approach, known globally as pumped hydro storage, would allow Ghana to balance supply and demand while reducing the high costs of conventional battery storage.
Dam Safety and Lifespan
The VRA boss assured lawmakers that both the Akosombo and Akuse dams remain structurally sound. He revealed that the facilities undergo five-year assessments by an international dam review board to ensure their integrity.
“They were here about three years ago; they’ll come again in two years to advise us. There are some recommendations we’re carrying out, and it’s part of our budget to keep the dam safe,” he noted.
According to Ing. Obeng-Kenzo, recent retrofitting and maintenance have extended the operational life of Akosombo by 40 years and Akuse by 30 years, ensuring long-term reliability for power generation.
A Step Toward Regional Energy Leadership
If fully implemented, the Akosombo battery reserve could serve not only Ghana but also the West African sub-region, helping to stabilise electricity prices and integrate more renewable energy into the grid.
