Ghana Energy Minister Seeks Public Patience over ECG Transformer Upgrade

Ghana’s Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, has appealed to residents, particularly in Accra, to exercise patience as the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) undertakes a major transformer replacement exercise aimed at improving power supply reliability.

The ongoing project involves the installation of 12 new transformers across six key substations in Adenta, La, Teshie-Nungua, Nmai Dzor, Baatsona and Lashibi. The upgrade is expected to increase capacity from 26MVA to 39MVA, easing pressure on the network and addressing persistent overloads in rapidly expanding communities.

Dr Jinapor, who inspected works at ECG’s Nungua District substation, commended engineers for their efforts, noting that the intervention follows a comprehensive review that exposed years of underinvestment, ageing infrastructure and limited expansion of the distribution network.

He explained that the replacement of a 22-year-old transformer had become necessary due to rising electricity demand, adding that the exercise, though requiring temporary power outages, would significantly enhance supply stability.

The Minister disclosed that the programme would be extended nationwide, with the next phase scheduled for Kumasi, followed by other regions including the Volta Region.

While expressing satisfaction with progress, he cautioned against complacency among some staff, warning that underperformance could trigger a shake-up. He further directed management to introduce key performance indicators (KPIs) to boost efficiency.

Meanwhile, ECG Managing Director, Julius Kwame Kpekpena, revealed that over 2,000 distribution transformers are expected to be deployed between this year and next year to strengthen power delivery across the country.