Kumasi braces for three-month power upgrade as GRIDCo nearly triples transmission capacity

Residents and businesses in Kumasi are being urged to prepare for temporary power disruptions as the Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo) launches an ambitious three-month transmission upgrade project beginning Monday, July 20, 2026. The initiative, conducted in partnership with the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), aims to dramatically expand the Kumasi-Anwomaso transmission line's capacity to meet the Ashanti Region's rapidly growing energy needs.

Tripling capacity to power growth

The project will increase the transmission line's capacity from its current 364 megawatts to 1,000 megawatts—nearly tripling existing infrastructure to support Kumasi's expanding industrial base and residential consumption. Minister for Energy and Green Transition Dr John Abdulai Jinapor emphasised during a site inspection that the upgrade is non-negotiable for the region's economic future. "This project cannot be postponed indefinitely. While it will cause temporary inconvenience, it is essential to securing Kumasi's energy future," he stated, calling on residents to exercise patience throughout the construction period.

The existing transmission line, which has served the region for over 30 years, has reached capacity limits. Rather than construct a parallel line—an option that would have required extensive demolition and compensation payments due to significant urban development—engineers will rebuild the infrastructure within the existing right-of-way after dismantling the old line.

Managing disruptions strategically

Chinese contractor China Water Engineering has already completed 56 of the 60 required transmission towers, with only four remaining. During active construction, power cuts will occur in affected communities to ensure worker safety, as ECG distribution lines intersect the transmission corridor. However, the Ministry has committed to restoring electricity each evening and providing advance notice of planned outages to affected areas before work begins.

Simultaneously, GRIDCo is upgrading transformers at the Ahodwo substation, which supplies electricity to Kumasi's central business district and surrounding residential areas. Chief Executive Frank Otchere confirmed this upgrade is essential to accommodate the increased transmission capacity and guarantee long-term power stability across the metropolis.

Why it matters for Ghana

This infrastructure upgrade addresses a critical bottleneck in Ghana's energy distribution network. Kumasi, as the Ashanti Region's largest city and a major industrial and commercial hub, has experienced mounting pressure on its electricity infrastructure. The capacity increase from 364MW to 1,000MW represents a significant investment in the region's development trajectory, supporting manufacturing, commerce, and population growth.

The project also reflects Ghana's broader strategy to strengthen its national grid reliability. A stronger transmission network reduces the frequency of unplanned outages and improves the country's ability to distribute power generated from various sources—including renewable energy facilities increasingly coming online. For Kumasi residents and businesses, the short-term inconvenience of three months of temporary outages is positioned against long-term benefits of enhanced energy security and economic competitiveness.

Minister Jinapor's warning that further delays could lead to transmission infrastructure collapse underscores the urgency of modernising aging systems inherited from previous decades. As Ghana pursues industrialisation and attracts foreign investment, adequate power supply remains fundamental. Kumasi's experience will likely inform similar upgrades needed in other regions facing capacity constraints.