The Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Hon. John Jinapor, has assured residents of Kumasi and its environs that the recent power outages in the area have been addressed following the successful switch to a newly installed 145MVA transformer.
Speaking on the power supply challenges that have plagued the Kumasi enclave in recent weeks, the Minister explained that the outages were primarily due to the upgrade of the existing power infrastructure.
The newly constructed 145MVA transformer was installed to replace the older 66MVA transformer, which had become inadequate due to increasing electricity demand in the area.
“There was a major issue in Kumasi, in particular, because the newly constructed 145MVA transformer was replacing the 66MVA transformer. We have been experiencing these challenges for some time now because demand has outgrown the supply capacity. So, we needed to upgrade it to 145MVA, which is more than double the previous capacity,” Hon. Jinapor stated.
He explained that during the switching process, some areas had to be temporarily taken off the grid, which resulted in power disruptions.
Additionally, as with any new plant, initial technical challenges were encountered. However, these issues have now been resolved.
“I am happy to inform listeners that they have successfully switched to the new 145MVA plant. ECG has picked up all the load as we speak, and barring any unforeseen circumstances, power supply in the Kumasi enclave should now be stable,” the Minister assured.
Hon. Jinapor emphasized that Ghana continues to generate sufficient electricity, even exporting excess power to neighboring countries.
However, beyond generation, transmission, evacuation, and distribution remain critical aspects of ensuring a reliable power supply.
“Kumasi has outgrown its previous supply infrastructure, but the good news is that we have now transitioned to a new supply point. Residents should see significant improvements in electricity supply and power delivery in the Ashanti Region,” he added.
The Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Hon John Jinapor has reaffirmed that with the new infrastructure in place, residents can now expect more stable and efficient electricity distribution in the region.
Story by Freedom Lavoe
