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The Ghanaian president, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has commissioned the Kumasi-Bolgatanga Power Transmission Line project. The 330-kilovolt (kV) project will add to the West African Power Pool (WAPP) project and improve the capacity and reliability of Ghana's electricity transmission network.

The project will further enable the export of 150 megawatts of electricity to Burkina Faso and help increase the security of electricity supply from Ghana through the Burkina Interconnection Project. Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) has also constructed a 330kV transmission line from the Aboadze Power Generation enclave through Prestea to Kumasi to support this aim.

The project has also increased transmission capacity to meet power demands in Ashanti, Northern Ghana, and beyond.

The scope of work under the Kumasi-Bolgatanga Power Transmission Line project included approximately 551 kilometres of 330kV transmission line from Kumasi to Bolgatanga, the construction of 330kV substations at Kumasi, Kintampo, Tamale, and Bolgatanga, as well as expansion of the existing 161kV substations at these locations, and implementing Environmental Mitigation Measures and a Resettlement Action Plan for the project.

Construction works on the project was undertaken by Elecnor S.A., Eiffage Energies / ABB AG Joint Venture, Sinohydro Corporation and KEC International.

Elecnor SA constructed the Kintampo substation; Eiffage Energies/ABB Ag J.V constructed the Tamale substation; while Sinohydro Corporation and KEC International constructed the Bolgatanga substation.

The French Development Agency (AFD) funded the project, which was estimated to cost US$173.9 million. The project also received funding from a European Union grant of €5 Million for project management and supervision. 

H.E. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo on Sunday October 16, 2022 commissioned the 330kV Kumasi to Bolgatanga Transmission Line Project. pic.twitter.com/u8GfnF9jO3

— Ghana Grid Company Limited (@GhGridCo) October 21, 2022

Chief Executive of GRIDCo, Ing. Ebenezer Essienyi commented, “GRIDCo is proud to have delivered this complex energy sector project with the support of strategic partners which has a direct impact on power supply for Ghanaians, businesses and foreign customers. This transmission line project reinforces and stabilises GRIDCo’s transmission network. It also expands access for Ghana’s middle to northern belt, as well as consolidating Ghana’s export of up to 150 MW beyond its northern border to Burkina Faso and the Sahel region. I commend all who were involved for their contribution to make this project a reality”.

Matthew Opoku Prempeh, the Minister for Energy, stated that the recent power projects implemented by the government have helped reduce transmission line overloads and associated high transmission losses and improved voltages, especially in Ashanti, Bono, and Bono East regions. The 330kV lines have substantially helped improve the quality and reliability of the electricity supply in the country.

The projects will provide an essential addition to the West African Power Pool (WAPP). The WAPP projects started with the Coastal Transmission Backbone projects (CTB), which included the construction of the 330kV Aboadze-Volta (Tema)-Momehagou (Togo) transmission line and associated substations. 

The CTB projects also involved upgrading power generation facilities in Ghana. Volta River Authority (VRA), Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo), and Communauté Electrique du Bénin (CEB) of Togo/Benin jointly implemented the CTB projects which achieved completion in 2014.

The Interzonal Hub Transmission (IHT) project followed the CTB project. The IHT project was intended to reduce cost, improve the security of electric supply to Burkina Faso, and increase Ghana's electricity export capacity.

Top Photo: Construction of a sub-station for the 330 kV Kumasi - Bolgatanga Transmission Line (pipes.ecowapp.org)