By Jones Anlimah
The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) have stepped up efforts to address the worsening power supply situation in the Volta and Oti Regions with a joint technical assessment of the Asiekpe Bulk Supply Point (BSP).
The move comes amid growing frustration among residents and businesses over persistent low voltage and unstable electricity supply, which have disrupted economic activities and daily life across the two regions.
The joint delegation, led by Acting Managing Director of ECG, Ing. Kwame Kpekpena, and Deputy Managing Director of GRIDCo, Ing. Frank Otchere, toured the facility to assess the state of the existing network and identify immediate and long-term solutions.
A key highlight of the visit was the inspection of a proposed site for a temporary substation, expected to serve as an interim measure to stabilise voltage and improve power quality.
Engineers from both institutions also evaluated critical constraints within the transmission network, including plans to upgrade the Asiekpe–Ho line from 69 kilovolts (kV) to 161kV to enhance capacity and meet rising electricity demand.
Speaking during the tour, Ing. Kpekpena underscored the urgency of the intervention, noting that the current infrastructure is overstretched and requires significant enhancement to deliver reliable electricity.
According to him, ECG recognises the impact of the current power challenges on businesses and households adding that strengthening the network is not optional but rather necessary to ensure consistent and quality power supply.
As part of their engagement, the delegation paid a courtesy call on the Volta Regional Minister, Mr. James Gunu, to brief him on the planned interventions and seek government support, particularly in securing land for the temporary substation and right of way for transmission upgrades.
Ing. Otchere indicated that design works for the project are already underway, with completion expected in less than a year. He explained that although the existing infrastructure, commissioned in 1983, has served the region reliably for decades, it can no longer cope with increasing load demand.
The proposed upgrade is expected to significantly improve voltage stability and effectively double the network’s capacity, providing a more sustainable solution to the recurring power challenges.
Residents and business operators in the Volta and Oti Regions have in recent months expressed deep concern over the erratic power supply, citing frequent outages and low voltage that have damaged equipment, reduced productivity, and increased operational costs.
The Regional Minister, Mr. Gunu, assured the ECG and GRIDCo teams of government’s full support, pledging to facilitate land acquisition and other requirements to fast-track the project.
He commended the two institutions for their collaboration and proactive approach, describing the intervention as critical to driving economic growth and improving livelihoods in the region.
The visit brought together key engineers and technical teams from both ECG and GRIDCo, as efforts intensify to deliver a lasting solution to the power supply challenges confronting the Volta and Oti Regions.
