The Managing Director of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Ing. Julius Kwame Kpekpena, has outlined a series of ongoing and planned interventions aimed at addressing persistent power outages and voltage fluctuations in the Ashanti Region including replacement of about 300 transformers.
This follows a working visit to the region, where the ECG management team engaged the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, to assess challenges affecting electricity supply and identify solutions to stabilise power delivery.
The ECG MD acknowledged that residents have been experiencing frequent outages, low voltage, and prolonged restoration times. He attributed these challenges largely to capacity constraints at substations and overloaded feeder lines distributing power to communities.
“We have some capacity constraints at our substations and also the feeders that link those substations and supply power to residents,” he explained, noting that these limitations have contributed significantly to the unstable power supply.
He revealed that ECG has initiated multiple projects to address the situation, many of which had stalled due to funding challenges. However, he said renewed financial support from government has enabled the company to revive critical infrastructure projects.
According to him, Cabinet has approved funding support, including the allocation of three percent of ECG’s revenue to fast-track the completion of key projects. Among the priority interventions is the completion of a Bulk Supply Point (BSP) project linking power supply to Kase in Kumasi, which is expected to be completed within six to eight weeks.
The MD also highlighted ongoing works at the Neoplan substation to improve power supply to parts of the metropolis, as well as upgrades at the Ridge substation, where transformer capacity has been exceeded.
He indicated that new and larger transformers are expected to be installed by the end of May, alongside the replacement of switchboards to boost capacity.
In addition, ECG is implementing about 65 smaller projects across various communities to address localised low voltage and overloading issues. These include replacing damaged transformers and expanding network capacity to reduce frequent fuse failures caused by overloaded systems.
“We are positive that when these projects are completed, there will be stability,” he assured.
Responding to the developments, Dr. Frank Amoakohene the Ashanti Regional Minister commended ECG for its swift intervention following recent power outages, which he described as intense and disruptive.
He acknowledged that while long-term solutions may take time, the immediate measures being implemented would bring some relief to residents.
The Minister also welcomed the resumption of stalled projects across the region and urged ECG to extend interventions to other affected areas, including Obuasi, Agogo, Kumawu, and parts of Kumasi.
Dr. Amoakohene further pointed to the increasing demand for electricity driven by population growth and rural electrification efforts, stressing the need for continuous investment in infrastructure.
He also praised government support for ECG, noting that funding interventions by the President and Cabinet were critical in addressing the region’s power challenges.
The Minister highlighted recent improvements in critical facilities, including the installation of dedicated transformers at the Regional Medical Stores and an oxygen plant at Tafo, which had previously been unable to operate due to power constraints.
He urged continued collaboration among key stakeholders in the power sector, including the Ghana Grid Company, to ensure a coordinated approach to resolving electricity supply challenges.
Both officials expressed optimism that the ongoing interventions would significantly improve power stability in the Ashanti Region in the coming months.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh/Isaac Justice Bediako
