The Government of Ghana has announced plans to procure 1,500 transformers to strengthen the country’s electricity distribution network and improve the reliability of power supply.
The Minister for Energy and Green Transition, John Abdulai Jinapor, disclosed the initiative during a media briefing, explaining that ageing and overloaded transformers have become a major challenge within Ghana’s electricity system.
According to the minister, the transformers will support the operations of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo), the two main utilities responsible for distributing electricity to homes and businesses across the country.
Dr. Jinapor explained that technical assessments conducted by the two utilities revealed that a large number of transformers require urgent replacement to stabilize the network.
He noted that the utilities indicated that at least 1,500 transformers need to be replaced immediately to address the problem.
The replacements are expected to ease pressure on the electricity network, improve voltage stability, and reduce the risk of transformer failures that often result in power outages in communities.
According to the minister, years of underinvestment in the power distribution system have left many transformers outdated and unable to cope with increasing electricity demand.
He noted that several transformers currently in operation have become obsolete, overloaded, and unable to withstand the pressure from growing power consumption.
The government’s decision to procure the transformers is therefore aimed at addressing these structural challenges within the country’s electricity distribution system.
Finance Ministry Supports Procurement Plan
While the need to replace the transformers was clear, the minister acknowledged that financing the large-scale procurement posed a challenge.
He revealed that discussions with the Finance Ministry had resulted in support for the initiative, enabling ECG and NEDCo to proceed with the procurement and deployment of the transformers across the country.
Dr. Jinapor stressed that improving electricity reliability remains a key priority for the government, especially as consumers increasingly demand stable and uninterrupted power supply.
He added that households and businesses expect improved service delivery, particularly at a time when electricity tariffs continue to rise.
Installation to Begin End of March
The minister indicated that the new transformers are expected to begin arriving and being installed across the country by the end of March.
The installations will focus on areas where transformers have become overloaded due to rapid urban growth and rising electricity consumption.
Energy sector experts say replacing outdated transformers could significantly reduce localized power outages and improve the efficiency of electricity distribution.
However, the minister cautioned that the installation process may lead to temporary power interruptions in some communities.
He explained that replacing transformers requires engineers to temporarily switch off electricity supply to safely disconnect old equipment and install new units.
Despite the potential disruptions, he assured the public that the distribution companies would provide advance notice before carrying out the installations.
The government is therefore urging the public to cooperate during the process, noting that the temporary inconvenience will ultimately lead to a stronger and more reliable electricity supply.
Strengthening Ghana’s Power Distribution System
The procurement of the 1,500 transformers forms part of broader efforts to modernize Ghana’s energy infrastructure and address long-standing challenges in the electricity distribution network.
Energy analysts have often identified ageing transformers and overloaded substations as key contributors to power instability in several parts of the country.
Authorities believe that replacing obsolete equipment and expanding system capacity will reduce equipment failures, improve network resilience, and ensure that electricity supply keeps pace with growing demand.
Government officials say the initiative will mark an important step toward delivering more stable electricity to households, businesses, and industries nationwide.
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