By: Nicholas Osei-Wusu
The Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, has cut sod for work to begin on reconstruction of the 161 KV transmission line from Anwomaso in the Oforikrom Municipality to Ahodwo in the Kumasi Metropolis towards addressing power supply challenges and system losses within the power supply system in Kumasi.
The project involves associated substations and an expansion of the second transmission line. It will also ensure that the existing 364 MVA single circuit twin bundle toucan conductor is replaced with a double circuit twin tern conductor of one thousand MVA.
The reconstruction project, which is being financed with an €8.7M grant by the European Union and AfDB, is to be executed within a 12-month period by China International Water and Electric Corporation.
The Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Jinapor, noted that, the project “will significantly enhance power evacuation capacity in the Ashanti region, improve voltage stability and reduce system losses.”
Highlighting the significance of the reconstruction project, Mr. Jinapor emphasized its role in advancing national energy goals, stating, “This project brings us a step closer to our ultimate goal: universal access to reliable and affordable electricity.”
The Minister described the project, which was initiated in 2013, as a testament of the a closer and mutually trustworthy partnership between Ghana and her development partners.
He therefore thanked the European Union and the French Government for their continuous support for the country over the years.
The Acting Chief Executive of the Ghana Grid Company Limited, GRIDCo, Ingineer Mark Awuah Baah, explained that, the project to upgrade the existing transmission line will address the challenge of low voltages and unstable electricity supply in Kumasi and its environs.
“The current AW1K is loaded to its thermal limit and this, sometimes, during certain conditions, result in low voltages in Kumasi”, Ing. Baah explained.
The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, said a stable and reliable power supply in the Ashanti region is an assurance of sustained trade and commerce for socio-economic progress in the region.
He said, “Ashanti is not only the cultural heartbeat of Ghana, but also a critical engine for national development. It is the hub for trade, commerce, industry and it should also with an increasingly growing population. It should indicate that our energy demand increases with its consequential effects.”
The outgoing EU Ambassador to Ghana, Irchad Azaali, described President John Mahama as an exemplary African leader having shown genuine commitment towards addressing fighting climate change through environmentally acceptable energy mix.
