The Akosombo Dam, also called the Volta Dam, is a hydroelectric dam on the Volta River in southeastern Ghana, part of the Volta River Authority. Its construction flooded part of the Volta River basin and created Lake Volta, which covers 8,502 square kilometers, about 3.6 percent of Ghana's land area, making it the largest artificial lake in the world by surface area, and by volume, at 148 cubic kilometers, it ranks as the world's third largest man made lake, behind Lake Kariba's 185 cubic kilometers.
Facts
SignificanceIts reservoir, Lake Volta, is the largest artificial lake in the world by surface area; the dam supplies the majority of Ghana's electricity as well as a majority share of Togo and Benin's. 1 FAQs
Who received the electricity from the Akosombo Dam in its early years?
About 20 percent went to Ghanaians and 80 percent to Valco.
Initially only 20 percent of the dam's electric output, serving 70 percent of national demand, was provided to Ghanaians as electricity. The remaining 80 percent was generated for Valco. Ghana was compelled by contract to pay for over 50 percent of the cost of the dam's construction, but the country was allowed only 20 percent of the power generated.
Sources
1. Akosombo Dam (Wikipedia)
Wikipedia contributors, Wikimedia FoundationHistory section
The dam was built between 1961 and 1965.
status sentence
The Akosombo Dam, also called the Volta Dam, is a hydroelectric dam on the Volta River in southeastern Ghana, part of the Volta River Authority.
In Group: Large Dams and Hydroelectric Schemes, Introduction
The Akosombo Dam, also known as the Volta Dam, is a hydroelectric dam on the Volta River in southeastern Ghana in the Akosombo gorge and part of the Volta River Authority.
View the Source Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.