ECG ramps up Kumasi network upgrade

By Elizabeth PUNSU, Kumasi

The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has intensified infrastructure upgrades across the Ashanti Regional capital, as persistent power outages continue to impact households, businesses and water supply systems.

The interventions – being undertaken under ECG’s Capital Investment Programme – are expected to ease pressure on the city’s strained distribution network and improve service delivery within the next six months, according to Managing Director Kwame Kpekpena.

Speaking during an inspection of ongoing projects in Kumasi, Mr. Kpekpena said a critical 16-kilometre line from Neoplan to Barekese is being reconstructed to enhance power supply to the Barekese Water Treatment Plant, a key source of potable water for Kumasi.

He noted that the existing line had insufficient capacity to transmit power reliably, necessitating a temporary diversion to avoid disrupting water supply during construction.

“This project is crucial because it ensures stable power to the water treatment facility. Without that, the impact on Kumasi’s water supply would be significant,” he said.

The ECG boss maintained that current outages in parts of Kumasi are not due to generation shortfalls but rather constraints within the distribution network.

“We are not experiencing load-shedding. We have adequate generation capacity, but limitations in our network sometimes affect our ability to deliver power to end-users,” he explained.

To address these constraints, ECG has outlined both short- and medium-term measures. Within three months the company expects to resolve localised faults within communities, including issues related to low-voltage distribution such as blown fuses and phase imbalances.

In addition, 65 distribution transformers are being deployed immediately, with total installations projected to reach between 300 and 400 units by end of the programme. Two major transformers are also scheduled for replacement before year-end.

Mr. Kpekpena further indicated that work on the Anwomaso–Kaase substation link is expected to be completed within three months, forming part of broader efforts to strengthen medium-voltage infrastructure across the metropolis.

He explained that upgrades to 33kV and 11kV lines are critical to improving the flow of electricity from Bulk Supply Points (BSPs) into the distribution network. Kumasi currently relies on two main BSPs at Ridge and Anwomaso.

“The challenge is not just taking power from GRIDCo, but ensuring we can move it efficiently into communities. These projects are aimed at removing those bottlenecks,” he said.

General Manager-Special Projects ECG,  Ing. Frederick Kwabena Bediako, highlighted technical challenges affecting progress including difficult terrain and coordination with GRIDCo, which is simultaneously upgrading its own transmission infrastructure.

According to him, sections of the project area are swampy and contain multiple underground cable joints, necessitating rehabilitation works.

Additionally, the need to share right-of-way corridors with GRIDCo has required realignment of some towers – contributing to delays.

“We are upgrading our conductors from 265 to 400 capacity, enabling us to evacuate more power. Once completed, we expect to move up to 120MVA from the Anwomaso BSP through Boadi to Kaase and onward to Ridge,” he said.

The project, from the Boadi Junction to Kaase with a value of approximately US$6.8million at contract inception, is expected to significantly improve interconnection between the two BSPs and enhance system reliability.

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