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On Tuesday, June 13, 2023, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic, delivered these remarks as he officially opened the 161 kilovolt GRIDCo, ECG Bulk Power Supply Point that was built as part of the Project for the Reinforcement of Power Supply to Accra Central.
“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.”
In his remarks, President Akufo-Addo reminded the audience that any nation seeking to industrialize in the twenty-first century and guarantee its citizens a respectable standard of living must make sure that its people have access to a reliable, cost-effective, and efficient power supply.
“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.
The President remarked that the Central Business District of Accra’s power requirements had significant economic ramifications, with a projected ten percent (10%) annual increase in electricity consumption from inhabitants and businesses working there.
In addition, it is anticipated that Greater Accra’s power demand will expand at an average annual growth rate of around 8%, reaching roughly 1,000 megavolt-ampere (MVA).
With a GDP growth rate of up to 15% at the period of project preparation, he said, “it is evident that the Accra Central BSP project execution is consistent with the country’s power needs and development.”
President Akufo-Addo continued, “The project we are commissioning today is a one hundred and sixty-one kilo-Volt Bulk Supply Point, which delivers on government’s commitment to “Keep the Lights On”. It also guarantees stable, reliable and regular supply of electricity for the busy and bustling Accra Central Business District and surrounding areas.”
Without the considerable contribution from the Japanese Government and its external agency, the Japanese International Development Agency (JICA), as well as without Japanese technology and technical help, the Accra Central Bulk Power Supply Project, in fact, would not have been possible.
The main Contractor, a Japanese Joint Venture of Mitsubishi Corporation, Hitachi Plant Construction, Ltd., and Yurtec Corporation, as well as the Japanese Government and the Japanese Consultants, a Joint Venture of Yachiyo Engineering Co., Ltd. and West Japan Engineering Consultants Inc., were thanked on behalf of the government and people of Ghana for their efforts, ongoing support, and contribution to Ghana’s development and growth.
“This project is an excellent illustration of the strong co-operation that links the Republic of Ghana and the Kingdom of Japan, which we cherish very much. My gratitude also goes to 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. I also wish to thank all traditional leaders, as well as the Ghana Railway Development Authority, for access to the transmission line right-of-way,” he said.
President Akufo-Addo further expressed gratitude to 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.”
About Accra Central Bulk Supply Point
This Bulk Supply Point is GRIDCo’s first sub-station equipped with gas insulation technology. This technological innovation allows for the installation of big capacity switchgear and small transformers in regions with severely constrained space.
Among its many advantages are the reduction of transmission and distribution losses, the assurance of a highly reliable electrical supply, and a high standard of worker safety.
With the Accra Central BSP now operational, power voltages are more stable (protecting expensive equipment), the reliability of the power supply has increased, and efficiency has been restored, allowing for a reduction in system losses as required by the regulator, the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC).
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com
