Govt boosts power supply capacity - 2,500 Transformers being installed nationwide
The government has commenced the installation of 2,500 high-capacity transformers across the country to improve electricity supply and address persistent localised outages.
The initiative seeks to strengthen power distribution infrastructure, stabilise supply and meet the rising electricity demand.
President John Dramani Mahama announced this when he inspected some of the transformers at the yard of the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) in Tamale last Sunday as part of his Resetting Ghana Tour of the Northern Region.
The visit was to thank the people of the region for supporting his Reset Agenda in the 2024 general election, cut the sod for new projects, and inspect ongoing ones.
Power stability
President Mahama indicated that the intervention would significantly improve power stability, adding that the recent temporary outages were to allow for the replacement of obsolete equipment.
He expressed optimism about the future of Ghana’s energy sector, stressing the need for localising transformer production to strengthen capacity and ensure long-term sustainability.
President Mahama, however, called for improved customer service in the power sector, including the establishment of efficient call centres and rapid response teams, to promptly address faults.
“The Minister of Finance has supported the Ministry of Energy to procure a large number of transformers for installation nationwide. Currently, we have 2,500 transformers,” he said.
President Mahama explained that many existing transformers had become overstretched due to increased demand over the years, stressing that infrastructure installed decades ago was now serving larger populations, leading to instability in supply.
He said at the inception of the National Electrification Programme in the 1980s, Ghana’s population was between 18 and 19 million, but had since increased to about 33 million, intensifying pressure on power distribution systems.
Rollout plan
The Minister of Energy and Green Transition, Dr John Abdulai Jinapor, said about 500 transformers would be allocated to the NEDCo operational area, exceeding the initial request of 400.
He said 30 transformers would be installed in Tamale within the week, while two would be deployed to Bole.
Mr Jinapor added that similar interventions were ongoing in Accra, where primary distribution transformers were being installed, with the next phase to be extended to Kumasi in May.
“We are installing new primary substations and expanding cable networks to stabilise power supply in Kumasi and the Ashanti Region,” he said.
Resilient economy
As part of the tour, the President addressed a Townhall meeting in Tamale, where he reiterated the government’s commitment to building a resilient economy and creating sustainable jobs for the teeming youth.
He further indicated that inflation, which previously exceeded 23 per cent at the close of 2024, had been reduced to under four per cent, with efforts underway to sustain the progress.
On infrastructure, the President revealed that the government was investing nearly GH¢50 billion in road reconstruction, assuring communities yet to benefit that the works would extend to them.
He added that ongoing rehabilitation efforts would significantly improve the road network across the Northern Region, enhancing connectivity and development outcomes.
On health care, President Mahama reiterated that the Free Primary Healthcare initiative would complement existing programmes, including the National Health Insurance Scheme, to improve healthcare delivery.
He also announced the construction of a cardiothoracic centre at the Tamale Teaching Hospital, alongside plans to expand centres of excellence in underserved regions.
