To enhance power reliability and voltage stability in Kumasi and beyond, the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) has commenced the reconstruction of the 161kV Anwomaso to Ahodwo Transmission Line.
The project, funded by the European Union and France with an €8.7 million grant, aims to address critical power evacuation challenges and support growing electricity demand in the region.
The existing single-circuit 161kV transmission line from Anwomaso to Ahodwo (AW1K) has been operating beyond 71% of its thermal capacity, leading to voltage instability and increased system losses, according to GRIDCo.
With the introduction of a Generation Hub at the Anwomaso Substation and the 330kV Aboadze-Anwomaso transmission line (commissioned in 2019), the need for a more robust power evacuation system has become urgent.
Currently, power outages or maintenance on the line result in voltage drops in Kumasi and the Dunkwa mining enclave, affecting businesses and households. Additionally, system losses exceed acceptable thresholds set by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), leading to financial losses for GRIDCo.
The reconstruction project will replace the existing single-circuit line with a double-circuit twin conductor line, increasing capacity from 364MVA to approximately 1,000MVA.
This is expected to improve power transfer between substations, enhance voltage stability, reduce system losses, support for power exports to Burkina Faso and the Sahel region, and enable scheduled maintenance without load shedding.
Acting Chief Executive of GRIDCo, Mark Awuah Baah indicated that “the project when completed will enable us increase the transmission capacity to meet increasing demand in Kumasi and it’s environs. This will also impact positively on system losses”.
The project involves construction of 18km of new 161kV double-circuit transmission linee, and substation upgrades at Ahodwo (K1BSP) and Anwomaso (K2BSP) to accommodate the new line.
Minister of Energy and Green Transition, Dr. John Abdulai Jinapor emphasized that the upgrade is critical for Kumasi’s economic growth.
“This project will contribute significantly and enhance the power evacuation capacity in the Ashanti region. It will also improve voltage stability and reduce system losses”.
The project is expected to be completed within 12 months.
With construction now underway, the energy and green transition ministry says residents and businesses in Kumasi can look forward to fewer outages, better voltage quality, and a more resilient power grid by 2025.
By Ibrahim Abubakar|AkomaFM|Kumasi
