ECG constructs switching station to improve supply
The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has started the construction of a new 33-kilovolts (kv) switching station to meet growing demands in the Ahanta West District in the Western Region.
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The company said the move was part of its strategic objectives of reducing system losses, improving system reliability and enhancing customer service delivery.
When completed, the GH¢2.7 million switching station with four off-loading circuits is expected to distribute power more reliably and efficiently to areas such as Dixcove, Busua, Abura and Nsuaem and surrounding areas.
Benefits
Speaking to the Daily Graphic after the tour of the facility, the Regional Engineer, Mr Ebenezer Ghunney, said aside from other benefits to customers, there would be great enhancement in its operational efficiency.
“ECG in the region desires to improve on customer service delivery. With the completion of this project, our customers in the defined catchment area would see an improvement in the services rendered to them,” he said.
He said as population and demands in the regional capital increased, the adjoining districts began to see increase in population and siting of industrial and commercial facilities that saw a surge in demand, hence the need for the facility.
The Regional General Manager, Ms Jacqueline Ofori-Atta, said that the company had been spearheading activities aimed at resolving all operational challenges with particular reference to unscheduled interruptions in power supply to customers.
Network improvement
She stated: “In line with this, the ECG is investing heavily in various network improvement and infrastructure development projects in the region for more system reliability, improvement in customer service delivery.”
She said the project, which was progressing steadily, would be completed by January 2018 and that “the substation will serve as a network reinforcement unit and cater for projected growth in demand in the area, especially due to expansion works by Ghana Rubber Estate (GREL).
“It will also reduce energy losses with the introduction of new and bigger lines. An off-shoot of this project will be the firming up of the power network link between Agona Nkwanta and the Essiama bulk supply point (BSP) to provide an alternative source of bulk power supply to the area,” she stated.
Background
The New Amanfrom Substation in Takoradi 33kV Agona overhead line distributes power through Apowa, Beahu, Bokro, Ewusiejoe, Aboadze to Agona Nkwanta.
The line then continues to Dixcove, Busua and its environs on one side and Abura, Tetrem, Nsuaem, Essamang, Kofikrom and associated communities on the other side.
The line has a total length of over 200km, and a lot of tee-offs or branches as a result of which it has become unwieldy and difficult to operate and maintain as a single line.
The situation, therefore, results in a number of challenges, leading to unreliable power supply on the 33kV Agona feeder catchment area.