Kumasi:The Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo) has committed to completing a fifth feeder in Kumasi by the end of December 2026 to bolster electricity supply in the metropolis and nearby communities. This development aims to alleviate the pressure on the four current feeders, thereby enhancing the reliability of power supply for both households and businesses in and around Kumasi.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Frank Asirifi Otchere, Chief Executive Officer of GRIDCo, explained during a site visit that the new feeder would augment the existing transformer capacity, meeting the demand and expecting completion by December. The visit included officials from GRIDCo, the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), and the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr. Frank Amoakohene, to evaluate progress on ongoing projects and the condition of transformers at transmission stations.
During the visit to the Ridge Substation, the officials inspected the installation of a new high-capacity transformer, which aims to address the growing electricity demand in the region. The installation of the 145MVA transformer necessitates constructing a new feeder, expected to contribute approximately 80 megawatts to the Kumasi supply network.
In Anwomaso, the team observed significant progress on upgrading the 161kV transmission line from Anwomaso to Ahodwo, where engineers are currently stringing conductors on 60 transmission towers. Mr. Otchere highlighted that increasing the transmission lines' capacity between Anwomaso and Ridge would facilitate a higher power flow through the system. The upgrade aims to boost the line's capacity from about 364 megawatts to 1,000 megawatts, with conductor stringing being the project's final phase.
Mr. Ebenezer Ghunney, Director of Operations at ECG, noted that while the new transformer installation would substantially improve supply, it would not completely eliminate power outages due to potential faults within the network. Officials stated that the ongoing infrastructure upgrades might cause intermittent and localized power interruptions over a month, deeming the inconvenience necessary for improving electricity reliability in the Ashanti region.
Dr. Amoakohene reassured consumers of timely and effective communication regarding planned outages to minimize disruptions. A joint team comprising GRIDCo, ECG, the Regional Coordinating Council, and the Information Services Department is being established to provide real-time updates to the public on planned outages.