The Bui Power Authority (BPA), which operates the Bui Generation System (BGS), which includes a 404 MW of hydropower, 5 MW floating solar plant and a 50 MW solar plant in Ghana has told RenewAfrica.Biz about the improvement in operation efficiency of the facility since the adoption of the Huawei eLTE broadband private network.
The network, which carries voice, video, and data services, enables instant communication between the control room and maintenance staff moving around the plant, is the first eLTE-based solution Huawei has deployed in the hydroelectric industry. It covers, without extensive cabling and installation, both indoor and outdoor working areas, including roadways inside the dam, generator rooms, and employee living areas within the Bui vicinity.
Speaking on the importance of ICT to Ghana’s power sector last week, Ghanaian Energy Minister Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh highlighted that ICT systems and intelligent energy management systems are critical for ensuring efficient power generation, power plant operations and power distribution.
“As Ghana is striding towards achieving universal electricity access by 2025, it is important for us to unleash the transformational power of ICT in optimising the operations at power plants, increasing the efficiency of renewable energy use, and ensuring a stable and cost-effective electricity supply to many more households nationwide,” said the minister.
Dr. Prempeh also stated that ICT systems enable renewable energy to be integrated into the grid for the reliable, stable access and supply needed in order to achieve the country’s goal of universal electricity access by 2025.
eLTE broadband private network features
With features like “push-to-talk” and group calls for both voice and video, the private network makes routine maintenance and handling of emergencies easier and more efficient at the power plant.
“Now staff can communicate via video call to fix maintenance challenges in record time”, a Huawei engineer said. “Building modern networks also provides capacity for growth, enabling intelligent digital transformation of the site in the future.”
Clean energy is becoming increasingly important in Ghana’s national energy mix, as Ghana’s National Energy Plan aims to achieve 10% penetration of renewable energy by 2030. The role of the Bui Generating Station as an important provider of hydroelectric power in the country has been further strengthened and complemented with new installation of solar power generation capability.
