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One of the 145 MVA transformers on a low-bed trailer waiting to be offloaded at the Pokuase BSP
One of the 145 MVA transformers on a low-bed trailer waiting to be offloaded at the Pokuase BSP

MiDA takes delivery of transformers for power project

The Millennium Development Authority (MiDA) has begun taking delivery of six major transformers procured for the completion of the largest power substation in Ghana at Pokuase in the Greater Accra Region.

Work on the Pokuase Bulk Supply Point (BSP) project, which is 61 per cent complete, is scheduled for completion and handover to the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) at the end of the first quarter of 2021.

The first two transformers arrived in the country on April 27 and May 4, 2020, and have already been sent to the Pokuase site, with the rest scheduled to arrive next week.

The Project Manager of the BSP, Mr Patrick Oppong, told the Daily Graphic that all the six transformers were scheduled to arrive at the Pokuase site by Monday, May 18, 2020.

"So far, we have been able to transport one of the transformers to the BSP site and we are transporting the rest one at a time. By Monday, we will have all four 145 MVA transformers for GRIDCO's operations on site. The other two for the ECG will not cause any power outage; they will also arrive on the site shortly after," he said.

He described as significant the timely arrival of the transformers, as it would also enable the project to be delivered on schedule.

Assessment

The transformers, which are in two sizes of 145 megavolt amperes (MVA) and 39 MVA and were shipped in two batches, arrived at the Tema Port on April 27 and May 4, 2020, respectively, and are expected to support the operations of GRIDCo and the ECG.

In a statement confirming the arrival of the transformers, MiDA said they were manufactured in Turkey and had been subjected to factory assessment in the presence of officials of MiDA, the ECG, GRIDCo, and other stakeholders.

"The arrival of all six transformers, together with other related equipment, marks a significant milestone in the construction of the first 330kV BSP in Accra, which will be the largest substation in Ghana when completed," it said.

It further expressed delight at the fact that the current global challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic notwithstanding, such vital equipment had reached Ghana on time and would enable the contractor, Messrs Elecnor SA, to meet timelines.

It said progress had been made at all other project sites, and that MiDA and the contractors had put in place plans and protocols aligned to the government’s policies, including the adoption of best global practices to safeguard the health of workers and also ensure the safety of the people in the wake of COVID-19.

Electricity supply

Ahead of the arrival of the transformers, the statement explained, MiDA had worked with the ECG and GRIDCo towards the safe transportation of the vital equipment to the project site at Pokuase.

The arrangement, it added, was to ensure very minimal disruptions to power supply to consumers along the way.

Already, the ECG had notified customers that there would be occasional power outages in some parts of Accra and Tema from May 8 to 14, 2020, as a result of the exercise.

The affected areas in some parts of Tema and Accra include Tema Community One, Sites 17 and 18, communities Eight and Nine, parts of Ashaiman and along the Spintex Road Corridor.

The rest are East Legon, Manet Estates, Jehovah’s Witnesses Camp, Achimota School, Action Chapel, Ghana Standards Board, Madina, ACP Estates, Pokuase Ridge and Collinson Farms.

MiDA, however, assured the public that the outages in those areas were expected to last not longer than 20 minutes.

Mr Oppong explained that power had to be cut off during the transportation of the transformers, "mainly because of the height of the transformers. It is about 5.2 metres high and there are power lines along the way, so we have to take the precautionary measures by taking off power while transporting them from the Tema Port to the site. Power is restored to the affected area in about 20 minutes".

Background

It is expected that the BSP will lead to a significant reduction in technical losses in GRIDCo transmission and the PDS power distribution system to improve the financial viability of the utilities.

The project is expected to benefit more than 350,000 residents in the catchment area, including Pokuase, Kwabenya, Legon, Nsawam, and other surrounding communities with reliable power supply.

The Chief of Staff at the Office of the President, Madam Akosua Frema Osei Opare, cut the sod for the commencement of work on the US$50-million project on April 30, 2019.

The Pokuase BSP project is being funded by the United States Government through its agency, the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), and the Government of Ghana as part of a power compact programme.

On August 5, 2014, Ghana signed the compact with the United States of America (USA) through the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), an independent United States government agency, on the sidelines of the US Africa Leaders’ Summit in Washington, DC.

On February 15, 2019, MiDA signed a ‘design-build’ contract with Messrs Elecnor S.A. of Spain after the firm was selected from among 15 bidders for the construction of the BSP.

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