The Bui Power Authority (BPA) was established in 2007 through the BPA Act 740, with a mission to support socio-economic development through the utilisation of natural resources for energy generation in a safe, reliable, and cost-efficient manner.

In 2017, BPA was given a ministerial mandate by the Ministry of Energy to develop renewable energy plants. In 2020, its enabling Act was amended to expand its mandate to include the development of renewable energy and other clean energy alternatives in the country. The Bui Power Authority (Amendment) Act, 2020 (Act 1046), granted the Authority the legal right to execute renewable energy projects on behalf of the State, undertake its own renewable energy activities, and pursue other clean energy alternatives in the country.

The Authority identified the untapped potential of solar resources in Ghana and set out to develop and expand solar PV capacity as part of the Government of Ghana’s effort to increase the contribution of renewable energy in the energy mix to 10% by 2030.

The Bui Switchyard was accordingly expanded to accommodate and evacuate 250MWp of solar power, enabling the development of a Hydro-Solar PV Hybrid (HSH) system within the Bui enclave. The HSH facility is intended to augment generation and preserve the Bui Reservoir through solar power generation. This will be Ghana’s first hybrid plant utilising both solar and hydro resources to generate and supply power to the national grid.

In October 2019, construction commenced on the first phase of the 250MW project, including a Solar PV facility, control room, and transmission system. The initial 50MWp was commissioned in November 2020 and connected to Ghana’s National Interconnected Transmission System (NITS). This has since been increased to 100MWp following the addition of a fully operational 50MWp to the land-based Solar PV plant at the Bui Generating Station (BGS).

Furthermore, BPA developed a 1MWp floating solar plant, which has since been expanded to generate 5MWp of solar power as of 2023. Situated on the Bui Reservoir, this pioneering plant is the first of its kind in the sub-region. Power generated from this facility is transmitted via the Bui Switchyard to the NITS. Currently, plans are underway to expand the existing 5MWp by an additional 20MWp, bringing total capacity to 25MWp. The project is 40.2% complete. The floating structures have been installed and deployed on the reservoir, while PV module installation is yet to commence. The project is expected to be completed by mid-2026.

To ensure grid stability and mitigate fluctuations from solar generation, a state-of-the-art 30MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) was installed to provide backup power and manage intermittency. The system is currently being upgraded with an additional 50MWh, with overall progress at 76.9%. Interconnection of PCS, cable trays, and electrical/communication cables is ongoing. Of the additional capacity, 24MWh is already operational, with the remainder expected to come online by Q2 2026. This advanced technology ensures stable power frequency and enhances overall system reliability.

Hydro Solar Hybrid

In its endeavour to harness the abundant solar radiation in Northern Ghana, BPA has engaged GRIDCo, the national grid manager, on the integration of solar plants in the region. The aim is to facilitate the integration of plants ranging from 10MWp to 100MWp into the NITS.

One such site is located in Yendi, which has been secured and developed, and is currently 92% complete. Major installation works for 20MWp out of the planned 50MWp have been completed, and commissioning tests for the completed capacity are ongoing. The first phase is expected to be completed in Q2 2026. BPA has also identified five additional sites for similar projects in Bawku, Tumu, Sawla, Buipe, and Zebilla.

BPA’s renewable energy projects align with its mission of supporting socio-economic development through safe, reliable, and cost-efficient energy generation. Key benefits of the projects include:

  • Contributing to the Government’s target of increasing renewable energy in the energy mix to 10% by 2030, in line with Ghana’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
  • Creating jobs for both skilled and unskilled Ghanaian workers, including opportunities for Project-Affected Persons within the Bui Generating Station enclave and other project sites.
  • Supporting the preservation of the Bui Reservoir through the hydro-solar hybrid system.
  • Providing clean energy and contributing positively to climate change mitigation.
  • Expanding electricity access to more households, thereby enhancing the availability of stable and cost-effective power.
  • The following are the key components under Phases 2 and 3 of the 250MWp Hydro-Solar Hybrid Project.
  • Solar PV Plant: A 100MWp solar PV plant within the Bui enclave has been completed and is fully operational.
  • Transmission Line: A new 225kV transmission line will be constructed to evacuate power from the Solar PV plant to the national grid.
  • Switchyard: A new 225kV switchyard will be constructed to connect the Solar PV plant to the transmission line.
  • Ancillary Works: This includes civil, electrical, and environmental works.

This project forms part of BPA’s 250MWp Solar Programme and aims to increase the share of variable renewable energy in Ghana’s energy mix, thereby improving the reliability of power supply in the sector.