Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire deliberate over electricity project in Accra

An inter-ministerial committee meeting between Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire is underway in Accra to see to the full execution of an interconnection project to enhance electricity exchanges and infrastructure development between the two countries.

The three-day engagement, which is being held among the Ministers of Energy of Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire as well as technical committees from the Ghana Grid Company Ltd (GRIDCo) and Côte d’Ivoire Energies (CI-ENERGIES), would adopt and sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to define the framework of the collaboration, including the cooperation between the two parties on the development of the project.

Known as the 330 kV Double Circuit Interconnection Reinforcement project, the initiative, which is being funded by the World Bank at $173.7 million is expected to improve the operational efficiency of the West African Power Pool (WAPP) network.

The Secretary-General of WAPP, Abdoulaye Dia, said the project had the backing of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the authority of heads of state and governments, adding that its completion would serve as a fundamental pillar to strengthen electricity trading between countries in the West African sub-region. 

Scope

Mr Dia said the project was part of the broader WAPP Coastal Transmission Backbone that connected the electricity networks of Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin and Nigeria.

He said the three-day meeting would enable consultants to submit their studies.

Mr Dia said the project was grounded on three pillars - synchronisation of 14 countries, launch of the West African electricity markets, and a search for an independent operator to manage the market.

He expressed gratitude to various experts who assisted the consultants on the projects. 

Commitment

In a speech read on his behalf, the Minister of Energy and Green Transition, John Jinapor, said the conclusions drawn from the feasibility studies for the project would “guide our collective decision-making as we move toward the realisation of a strategic interconnection project that holds great promise for our countries and our people”.

Beyond the technical validation, he said “we are also here to formalise our commitment through the signing of legal instruments that would establish a robust framework for cooperation.”

The framework, the minister said, would not only facilitate the implementation of the project but also ensure that the collaboration was grounded in mutual trust, transparency and a shared responsibility.

“We are ready to contribute our expertise, resources and institutional support to ensure the timely and successful execution of this project,” he added.

For his part, the Director-General of the Cote d’Ivoire Ministry of Mines, Energy and Petroleum, Ehouman Narcisse Kalifa, said the interconnection reinforcement project was a proof of his country’s commitment to regional integration, and strengthening of cooperation between the two countries.

He expressed the hope that the deliberations would be constructive to facilitate the progress of work.

Background

The Ghana - Côte d'Ivoire Interconnection Reinforcement project is a strategic infrastructure development designed to strengthen the regional electricity market in the West African region.

The Ghana side would have the construction of a 123 km 330 kV double circuit transmission line from Dunkwa on Offin to the Ghana-Côte d'Ivoire border at Elubo, while a new 330/161 kV substation would be established at Dunkwa.

The Côte d'Ivoire side would also have the construction of a 125 km 330 kV double circuit transmission line from the border at Elubo to Bingerville in Cote d’ivoire, and an extension of a Bingerville 400/330 kV substation.

Additionally, for Ghana to integrate the project in the national network, a 75 km 330 kV single circuit transmission line from Dunkwa on Offin to Awodua would be built