ECG initiates expansion in Ashanti Region

The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has embarked on a major expansion programme in the Ashanti Region targeted at reaching out to both under-served and un-served areas of the region, and improving supply to customers.

With new projects coming up and old ones undergoing upgrading, officials said in spite of the constraints, the company was on course to improving and expanding its operations to ensure that the people of the region got quality services.

According to the Regional Engineer, Ashanti West Region of ECG, Dr Kwabena Adomah, the company was reinforcing the existing sub-transmission network to cope with the growing demand. This is being done as the company responds to the growth of new communities.

'It is very capital intensive to undertake some of these projects, especially considering the cost of land, equipment and materials like transformers and accessories, conductors, cables, fuel for operations and meters ,' he told the Daily Graphic in Kumasi.

In line with upgrading the existing distribution networks in the region, ECG is also reinforcing the existing sub-transmission networks. These include construction of double circuit 33kV overhead lines from Nhyiaeso to Adoato substations, Nhyiaeso to Airport Roundabout and Airport Roundabout to Suame Magazine substations and the upgrading of Adoato to Barekese feeders.

The upgrading of the Barekese lines which the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) utilises for water delivery will significantly assist them to improve water supply to Kumasi and its environs.

The establishment and commissioning of the Kumasi second bulk supply point (K2BSP station) at Anwomaso is scheduled to be completed in December this year. The power station, the second after that of Ridge, is to bring on board about 132 megawatts of power to residents of the Kumasi metropolis and its environs.

The Regional General Manager for Ashanti East Region, Ing. Abdulai Kurah, said the project involved the installation of two power transformers at the station to ensure adequate, stable and efficient distribution of power in the eastern part of the metropolis and its surrounding communities such as Onwe, Krapa, Ejisu, Juaben, Bonwire, Effiduasi, Kumawu, Agona, Nsuta and Asante Mampong.

Currently, the power situation is relatively stable.

System losses in electricity supply
Technical losses and non-technical losses have posed a challenge to ECG operations in the region over the years.

To minimise commercial losses, the ECG is installing automated remote meter reading (AMR) device in all the high consuming premises in all its operational areas. In that case, if one tampers with the meter in his or her home, it will be recorded and the person appropriately charged for it. This is being implemented at the premises of all the big customers of the company.

For commercial losses, the company has a loss control unit in the region and has as well installed meters at some of its substations to easily detect the losses and act on them.

According to Ing. Jones Ofori-Addo, ECG would soon come out with the SMART-G pre-payment metering system in the Ashanti West Region. It is a system that easily trips when one attempts to do any bypass of the meter. Additionally, the meters are more robust than that of the previous ones.

The project, which is a public-private sector initiative, is intended to help the company mobilise revenue upfront and reduce incidence of illegal connection.

Installation of prepaid meters for MDAs
ECG is carrying out this directive with all the seriousness it deserves in the region.

New offices
ECG is putting up new district offices across the region to get closer to its customers and modernise its processes. Some of the newly constructed offices are at Abuakwa, New Edubiase, Obuasi, Dunkwa and Offinso. The others are at Asokwa and Gyinyase in Kumasi, Konongo, Ejisu, Kwabre and Asante Mampong. Land has also been secured for a new office for the Suame district at Ampabame.

By Kwame Asare Boadu/Daily Graphic/Ghana