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The Minister of Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, has cut the sod for the reconstruction of the 161KV Anwomaso-Kumasi transmission line project.
The project is aimed at enhancing power evacuation capacity, improving voltage stability and reducing system losses in the Ashanti Region.
Being executed by the China International Water and Electric Corporation (CWE), the project is co-funded by the European Union (EU) and the Government of France at €9.7m.
The project involves the construction of 18KM I61KV transmission lines from the Ahodwo (K1BSP) Substation to the Anwomaso (K2BSP) Substation, including associated Substation expansion works for the second transmission line to be introduced.
The existing 2 X 182MVA (364MVA) single circuit twin bundle toucan conductor is to be replaced with a double circuit twin tem conductor line with a rated capacity of 2x488MVA.
It seeks to replace the existing single circuit transmission line between the Ahodwo (K1BSP) and Anwomaso (K2BSP) Substation, with a double circuit twin-bundled transmission line of rated capacity, to improve power transfer capacity between the two substations and improve on the supply reliability within Kumasi and facilitate the export of power to Burkina Faso.
Additionally, the project is expected to relieve the existing substations from overload and, thereby, allow for planned maintenance works to be carried out without load shedding, improve operating voltages to consumers and lead to a significant reduction in power losses, especially at the medium voltage level, among others.
The commissioning of the 330 KV transmission line from the Aboadze Substation to the 330KV Anwomaso Substation in 2019 resulted in increased power flow on the existing single circuit 161KV Anwomaso to Ahodwo Transmission Line (AW1K).
The loading on the line is above 71 per cent of its thermal limits and this resulted in low voltages in Kumasi and the mining enclave at Dunkwa whenever the line was not in service.
Speaking at the ceremony last Tuesday, Mr Jinapor said the project was more than the commencement of a physical structure, “but a bold step forward in our collective ambition to build a modern, efficient and resilient energy system for Ghana.”
He stated that the execution of the project stood as a testament to international collaboration that aligned with Ghana’s national priorities, thereby bringing Ghana to its ultimate goal of universal access to reliable and affordable electricity.
“The Anwomaso Substation is evolving into a critical power generation and evacuation hub. Our gas-to-power strategy, which emphasises natural gas as a transition fuel, envisions Anwomaso as a focal point for new generation assets,” he said.
He stressed that with reliable fuel supply arrangements and future LNG infrastructure, the enclave was poised to become central to power exports, particularly to the northern parts of Ghana and neighbouring countries like Burkina Faso.
Mr Jinapor, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Yapei Kusawgu Constituency in the Savanna Region, added that the project was not merely about connecting substations, but represents a bold shift toward self-reliance, regional competitiveness and sustainable economic development.
While extending deepest appreciation to the European Union and Agence Française de Développement (AFD) for their continued partnership, he charged all stakeholders to ensure that the project ushered in a new era of energy security and inclusive prosperity for all Ghanaians.
Speaking on behalf of the French Ambassador to Ghana, Jules Armand Aniambossou, the Director, AFD, Clementine Dardy, said the project was a symbol of a shared vision for a resilient, modern energy sector that served the people of Ghana and strengthened the foundation for industrial and economic transformation.
She said it exemplified what France sought to achieve with its development cooperation with projects that are technically sound, locally owned and climate-conscious.
She stressed that “this investment also lays the groundwork for a cleaner and smarter grid that can better integrate renewable energy in the years ahead” and indicated that France remained at Ghana’s side as a steadfast partner for the long term.
The EU Ambassador to Ghana, Irchad Razaaly, pointed out that the project symbolised a shared commitment between the EU and Ghana towards a greener, more efficient and resilient energy future.
He encouraged continued reforms that would further strengthen the environmental sustainability and financial viability of the energy sector by embracing more accountability, fostering private sector participation and integrating more renewable energy sources.
The acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCO), Mark Awuah Baah, said the new project, when completed, would double the transmission capacity between Anwomaso and Ahodwo.
