Jinapor urges patience as three-month power upgrade begins in Kumasi

The Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo), in partnership with the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), will on Monday, 20 July 2026, launch a major three-month project to upgrade the Kumasi-Anwomaso transmission line. 

The essential works are expected to cause temporary power outages across Kumasi and its surrounding areas during the construction period.

​The 1000-megawatt upgrade is designed to nearly triple the transmission line’s capacity from its current 364 megawatts. 

This massive boost is aimed at meeting Kumasi’s rapidly growing industrial and residential power demands while significantly improving grid reliability.

​Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Dr John Abdulai Jinapor, urged residents to bear with the utility providers during an inspection of the project site today, warning that delaying the upgrade further risks a total collapse of the grid.

Dr Jinapor explained that the project cannot be postponed indefinitely, and while it will cause temporary inconvenience, it is vital to securing the regional capital’s energy future. 

He appealed to the public for their patience as they execute this critical safety and capacity upgrade.

​The existing transmission lines have been in service for more than 30 years. 

While authorities initially sought to build the new system adjacent to the old line, extensive development along the transmission corridor has made that impossible. 

To avoid demolishing properties and paying massive compensation fees, engineers must strip down the old line and erect the new system within the existing right-of-way. 

This requires completely shutting down the old line to allow safe dismantling of the old towers and raising the new ones.

​Contractor China Water Engineering has mobilised multiple teams to expedite the work. 

Of the 60 transmission towers required for the project, 56 have already been completed, leaving only four to be constructed.

​Because ECG distribution lines crisscross the main transmission path, certain communities will lose power during active working hours to guarantee the safety of the construction crews. 

These outages will occur in successive sections as work progresses. 

Power is expected to be cut during the day while crews are active and fully restored in the evening. 

Furthermore, the Ministry of Energy promised that affected neighbourhoods will receive advance notices detailing specific outage schedules before work begins in their areas.

​GRIDCo is also using this three-month window to upgrade the transformers at the Ahodwo substation, which serves Kumasi’s core business district and residential load. 

GRIDCo Chief Executive, Mr Frank Otchere, explained that as the line’s capacity increases, substation capacity must match it.

 Source: classfmonline.com