New dam
18 March 2008
August saw work get underway on the US$ 622 million Bui Dam hydroelectric power scheme in Ghana. When complete the scheme on the Black Volta River will have a generating capacity of 400 MW, and will also provide water for irrigation.
The majority of funding for the project-US$ 562 million-is being provided as a loan from the Chinese Government and Sino Hydro, one of China's largest construction companies, will be main contractor on the project.
The remaining US$ 60 million will be provided by the Ghanaian government.
Although the project will make a difierence to the energy crisis currently being faced by Ghana, it has also faced criticism. Objectors say some 2500 people will have to be relocated due to the creation of a reservoir behind the dam.
