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By Efua Nessa
The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has begun the installation of two high-capacity transformers at the Ridge Bulk Supply Point in Kumasi as part of efforts to enhance the reliability of the city’s power supply. The project involves replacing two existing 20/26MVA transformers with upgraded 30/39MVA units, significantly boosting the station’s capacity and reducing pressure on the network.
This upgrade is a direct response to recent intermittent power outages and voltage fluctuations in parts of Kumasi, which have been caused by rising electricity demand, rather than generation shortages.
ECG’s Acting Managing Director highlighted the project’s strategic importance: “As Kumasi continues to expand, its electricity demand grows as well. This upgrade ensures that our infrastructure keeps up with the growth, providing customers with more stable and reliable power.”
The Manager for Substation and Switchgear Maintenance at the Ashanti Sub-Transmission Division described the project as urgent and complex. “The existing transformers have been under immense pressure. These new units will alleviate the strain and improve overall system stability,” he explained.
The installation is a collaborative effort between the Accra and Ashanti Sub-Transmission Divisions, and is set to take place on May 6 and 7. The transformers will be energised shortly after installation, with the schedule as follows:
May 6: Replace and energise Transformer 2
May 7: Replace and energise Transformer 1
Outage Details
To ensure the safety and success of the installation, ECG will implement controlled outages on May 6 and 7, between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM. This will involve a temporary shutdown of sections of the 33kV network and managed load distribution on 11kV feeders.
ECG has assured customers that these interruptions are carefully planned and will be brief. “We understand the inconvenience, but these are essential steps to improve the overall reliability of the power supply,” said Collins Manu, Communications Officer for the Ashanti Sub-Transmission Division.