Residents in Kumasi and surrounding communities should expect temporary power interruptions as the Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo), in collaboration with the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), begins a major upgrade of the Kumasi-Anwomaso transmission line.
The three-month project, scheduled to commence on Monday, July 20, 2026, is aimed at increasing the capacity of the transmission line from its current 364 megawatts to 1,000 megawatts, nearly tripling its ability to supply power to the Ashanti Region’s growing industrial and residential areas.
The upgrade forms part of efforts to improve grid stability, enhance reliability and meet the increasing electricity demand of Kumasi, one of Ghana’s fastest-growing urban centres.
During an inspection of the project site, the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Dr John Abdulai Jinapor, appealed to residents to be patient and cooperate with GRIDCo and ECG as the works are undertaken.
He warned that delaying the project could pose serious risks to the stability of the national power grid, stressing that the temporary inconvenience was necessary to secure the region’s long-term energy needs.
Dr Jinapor explained that the project could not be postponed indefinitely, urging residents to support the exercise as authorities work to strengthen the country’s power infrastructure.
The existing transmission line has been in operation for more than three decades.
Authorities initially planned to construct the new line alongside the existing one, but extensive development along the transmission corridor made that option impractical.
To avoid demolishing properties and incurring huge compensation costs, engineers will dismantle the old transmission system and construct the upgraded line within the existing right-of-way.
This process requires the complete shutdown of the current line to allow for the safe removal of old towers and installation of new structures.
The contractor, China Water Engineering, has deployed several teams to accelerate the project.
Out of the 60 transmission towers required, 56 have already been completed, leaving four towers to be constructed.
GRIDCo explained that some communities will experience daytime outages because ECG distribution lines run across sections of the transmission corridor, making power interruptions necessary to protect construction workers and ensure safe execution of the project.
The outages will be implemented in phases as work progresses, with power expected to be restored each evening after construction activities are completed.
The Ministry of Energy has assured affected communities that they will receive prior information on planned outage schedules before works begin in their respective areas.
As part of the broader upgrade programme, GRIDCo is also undertaking improvements at the Ahodwo substation, which supplies electricity to Kumasi’s central business district and surrounding residential communities.
GRIDCo Chief Executive Officer, Frank Otchere, said upgrading the substation is necessary to match the increased capacity of the transmission line and ensure the full benefits of the project are realised.
