Kpong Dam
Introduction The '''Kpong Dam''', also known as the '''Akuse Dam''', is a hydroelectric power generating dam on the lower Volta River near Akusein Ghana. It is owned and operated by Volta River Authority. It was constructed between 1977 and 1982.Its power station has a capacity of  with all four units running, though the total nameplate capacity is .The project supplements power production from Akosombo Dam, for the smelting of aluminium at VALCO in Tema. The project is located about  downstream of Akosombo Dam, and is about  from the city of Accra.Because the reservoir upstream of the dam is relatively small, the plant operates as a "run-of-the-river" project, with river flow controlled at Akosombo. The design head of water at the plant is ; the low head required the use of unusually large turbines for their power rating, with a Francis runner diameter of . The powerhouse is  long,  wide and . The main dam is made of earth with rockfill facing and is  high and  long. Dikes on the banks are  long. The spillway has a design capacity of  and has 15 radial gates, each  wide by  high, with a total length of . The civil contractor for the project was Impregilo of Italy. Other components of the project include a 161 kV switchyard and transmission lines, four villages constructed to house people displaced by the project, and road construction.In addition to power generation, the project provides irrigation water for agriculture, and municipal water supply. Bilharzia is a health hazard in the region which has increased since the construction of the dam.
See also * List of power stations in Ghana* Electricity sector in Ghana
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