Gov’t procures 500 transformers to stabilise power supply

By Samuel SAM

The Ministry of Energy and Green Transition has procured 500 transformers for deployment within operational areas of the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) – a move aimed at addressing persistent power supply challenges in Tamale and surrounding communities.

Of the total, 30 newly upgraded transformers are being installed in key areas including Kukuo, Hilltop and Target in Tamale to mitigate low voltage and reduce frequent outages which have disrupted domestic and commercial activities.

The intervention forms part of a broader effort to improve electricity distribution and stabilise supply in the Northern Region, where aging and overstretched infrastructure has struggled to keep pace with rising demand.

In addition, government plans to install 11 transformers at primary substations in Accra, while the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) is undertaking upgrades involving more than 2,000 units in parts of Accra and Kumasi from May to address long-standing distribution constraints.

A separate GH¢240million project is also underway to upgrade transformers across several primary substations including Adenta, La, Teshie-Nungua, Nmai-Dzor, Baatsonaa and Lashibi. The upgrades are expected to increase capacity from 50 MVA to 60 MVA and from 20/26 MVA to 30/39 MVA, with some phases already completed ahead of schedule.

The development was disclosed during a visit by John Dramani Mahama to a NEDCo warehouse in Tamale as part of his ‘Resetting Ghana’ tour of the Northern Region.

Speaking after inspecting the equipment, President Mahama said recent outages should not be misconstrued as ‘dumsor’, but rather seen as temporary disruptions arising from essential upgrades to an overburdened network.

He expressed confidence that the transformers’ rollout will significantly improve power reliability in Tamale and northern parts of the country over coming months.

Minister of Energy and Green Transition John Abdulai Jinapor indicated that the procurement forms part of a nationwide plan to install between 2,500 and 3,000 transformers to modernise the distribution network and replace obsolete units.

He added that government is also pursuing upgrades to existing infrastructure while increasing reliance on domestic gas and renewable energy sources to reduce the cost of power generation.

Authorities reiterated their commitment to ensuring a stable and reliable electricity supply while urging consumers to avoid illegal connections and interference with the network, which exacerbate supply challenges.

The post Gov’t procures 500 transformers to stabilise power supply appeared first on The Business & Financial Times.

Read Full Story