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Repair works on a major generating unit of the Aboadze Thermal Plant have been completed. The unit is expected to bring on stream 110 megawatts of energy to the national grid by the end of this weekend. According to the Corporate Communications Manager of the Volta River Authority (VRA), Mr Sam Fletcher, the unit was undergoing test runs to pave the way for its use. All the three generating units of the Aboadze Thermal Plant were shut down in February this year for repair works. The shutdown affected energy supply and triggered a load-shedding exercise in many parts of the country. According to Mr Fletcher, the coming on stream of the unit at the Aboadze Thermal Plant was expected to marginally improve power supply. He was, however, quick to add that an improvement in the situation might not necessarily bring to an end the load-shedding exercise. �We can only declare �dumsor� (load shedding) over when the Takoradi Thermal One (TI) becomes fully operational,� he said. Mr Fletcher said another generating unit with the capacity of generating 110 megawatts which was under repairs would be completed later to improve the energy situation. Generation shortfalls Shortfalls in power generation in January this year prompted power producers and distributors to embark on load-shedding exercises. The power management exercise led to the offloading of between 70 and 200 megawatts of power from the national grid to consumers between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. on different occasions. With issues such as shortage in crude oil the power plants have developed faults which need to be repaired. Lack of reserve margin With a population of 25 million, Ghana needs about 340 megawatts of reserve power capacity for contingencies. However, production challenges have made it almost impossible for the country to have in place an adequate reserve margin.