Energy infrastructure investment spurs industrialization

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo says a key objective of major investment in energy infrastructure is to spur industrialization.

According to him, countries seeking to industrialise in the 21st Century must aspire for stable, efficient and affordable power supply.

He explained that since electricity is no longer a luxury, but a necessity in this age, the country is working assiduously to achieve universal access to electrification by 2025.

Energy infrastructure

President Akufo-Addo gave the assurance when he inaugurated the Accra Central Bulk Supply Point (BSP), at Adabraka, in the Greater Accra Region.

$40m Central Bulk Supply Point

The $40 million BSP project is a Japan-funded facility through its external technical agency, the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

161/34.5 Kilovolt substation

The project was conceived, following the decision to construct a BSP in proximity to the Accra Central Business District (CBD), and involves the construction of a 161/34.5 Kilovolt (kV) substation in a single bus configuration.

The Accra CBD has in recent times seen an upsurge in commercial and industrial activities, scaling up the power demands.

The project is expected ensure the supply of reliable electricity to the CBD of the capital.

The benefits of this Accra Central Bulk Supply Point, amongst many others, are to reduce transmission and distribution losses, ensure high reliability of electricity supply, and ensure a high level of personnel safety.

With the operationalisation of the Accra Central BSP, power voltages have become stable (protecting valuable equipment), power supply reliability has improved, and, with this, efficiency has been restored, reducing system losses as required by the regulator, Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC).

4^th major bulk power supply point in 18 months

The facility is the fourth major bulk power supply point to be inaugurated in the last 18 months, reinforcing Ghana’s determination to reduce to the barest minimum transmission and distribution losses.

GRIDCo’s first-ever gas insulated sub-station  

This Bulk Supply Point is a gas insulated sub-station, which is GRIDCo’s first sub-station with such technology.

This is an innovation in technology applied in areas where spaces are significantly limited, thus large capacity switchgear and transformers, which are compact, can be installed.

President Akufo-Addo averred that the project would ensure stable and reliable supply of electricity to residents and traders in and around the CBD.

He also acknowledged that the power needs of the CBD have important implications for the economy, hence the need for GRIDCo to come in and construct the BSP.

He was optimistic that the erratic power supply that marred the country’s socio-economic development some years ago would be a thing of the past given the Government’s bid to invest in energy infrastructure.

Never going back to dumsor

“I wish to reassure you all that my government will continue to work towards ‘Keeping the Lights on’, in spite of the global dynamics of energy pricing, because the alternative is not an option. We are not going back to dumsor, we leave that to President Mahama.

“Our daily lives, from simple things such as charging our mobile phones, and keeping our electrical appliances working, to operating our offices and businesses, are run by electric power.
“Electricity is no longer a luxury but rather a necessity in this day and age, and we must commit ourselves to working hard to ensure that we achieve universal coverage in this country in order to spur on rapid rates of economic growth,” he said.

1,000 megavolt-ampere

President Akufo-Addo indicated that electricity demand in the Greater Accra is projected to reach about 1,000 megavolt-ampere with an average annual growth rate of about eight percent.

CBD consumes 10% of capacity in Greater Accra

He also stated that consumption for the CBD is currently about 10% of the electricity capacity of the region.

The President said that the execution of the BSP project is in keeping with government’s commitment to “Keep the lights on” by investing in energy infrastructure.

He lauded the Japanese Government for assisting the country to build a vibrant energy sector, adding that that was what was needed for a rapid socio-economic growth.

President Akufo-Addo expressed gratitude the leadership of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana and families in this area, “who ceded part of their lands to pave way for the building of the transmission tower that provides a critical connection point from the BSP for onward connection to power supply.”

He also commended the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) for providing access to part of the compound of its Primary Substation E, which facilitated the construction of this Accra Central BSP as well as all traditional leaders, Ghana Railway Development Authority, for access to the transmission line right-of-way.

Minister of Energy Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, noted that the execution of the project will bring relief to residents who have had to endure long periods of low voltage due to increased demand.

Board Chairman of the Ghana Grid Company Limited (GridCo), Ambassador Kabral Blay-Amihere, noted that the Commissioning is the fourth major substation of GridCo to be commissioned by the presidency in the last 18 months.

It follows the commissioning of the Pokuase BSP in October, 2021, the Kasoa substation in June 2022 and the Kumasi-Kintampo-Bolgatanga Transmission Line at Abwomaso in the Ashanti Region.

He commended the President for his continuous personal interest in the sustainability and advancement of the Energy sector and support for GridCo in particular.

Country Representative for JICA, Suzuki Momoko, said in her remarks that the project will ensure reliable power supply for residents and reduce transmission and distribution losses.

He said his country cherished its long-standing partnership with the West African country and pledged Japan’s continued support to Ghana.