Kumasi power upgrade hits 70% completion; planned blackouts start Friday as GRIDCo finishes transmission line work

Ghana's electricity transmission operator GRIDCo has reached the 70% milestone on a critical infrastructure project in Kumasi, with the upgrade of the 161kV Anwomaso–Ahodwo transmission line nearing completion. However, residents and businesses across affected communities should prepare for planned power interruptions lasting from Friday, October 30, through Sunday, November 29, as engineers undertake the final and most delicate phase of the work.

The remaining 30% of the project involves stringing conductors onto transmission towers—a technically complex operation that requires temporary cuts to power supply for worker safety. Power interruptions will occur between 9am and 5pm on working days as construction teams advance along the affected sections of the transmission line. The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has committed to publishing a detailed outage schedule to help consumers prepare, though the exact dates of disruptions in individual communities have not yet been released.

Timeline and project scope

The transmission line upgrade project is expected to reach full completion by the end of November 2026, meaning several more months of construction activity lie ahead. GRIDCo and ECG issued a joint statement on October 29 emphasising that the temporary interruptions are essential not only for worker protection but also for public safety. The companies have appealed to residents for patience and cooperation, acknowledging the inconvenience while stressing their commitment to safety standards and project timelines.

The upgrade represents a significant investment in Ashanti Region's power infrastructure. Once completed, the improved 161kV transmission line will enhance the reliability and capacity of electricity supply across Kumasi and surrounding communities, addressing long-standing concerns about power quality and frequency of outages in the region.

Why it matters for Kumasi and Ghana

The Kumasi metropolitan area, as Ghana's second-largest city and the heart of the Ashanti Region, faces persistent electricity demand pressures from rapid urban growth, industrial activity, and the region's role as a commercial hub. Transmission bottlenecks have historically constrained reliable power delivery to businesses, healthcare facilities, educational institutions and households across the area. This transmission line upgrade directly addresses those constraints by increasing the capacity and resilience of the network feeding Kumasi.

For electricity consumers, the short-term inconvenience of planned outages must be weighed against the long-term benefit of improved supply stability. Hospitals, water treatment facilities, small businesses and residents have all suffered from unscheduled blackouts caused by inadequate transmission capacity. A strengthened transmission backbone reduces the likelihood of cascading failures and unplanned outages that cause far greater economic damage and social disruption than scheduled maintenance work.

For GRIDCo and ECG, completing this project on schedule is critical to meeting growing national electricity demand and supporting Ghana's economic development agenda. The Ashanti Region accounts for a significant share of the country's economic output; reliable power is essential to manufacturing, agriculture processing, retail and services sectors that drive regional and national growth.

Consumers in affected areas are advised to monitor official announcements from ECG for the detailed outage schedule and to take necessary precautions—such as charging devices, securing backup power for critical applications, and adjusting work schedules where possible. The companies have pledged to minimise disruption and complete the work safely.