Obsolete equipment thwarting power supply in Ghana –GRIDCO

Recent power outages in the country have been linked to overaged and worn-out equipment in the transmission network, according to the Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCO), the main operator of the entire power system.
The power system in the country comprises; generating system, transmission system and distribution system, which GRIDCO contends that any problem with these systems may affect power supply to the consumer.
With four major power stations at Akosombo, Kpong, Aboadze and Tema, that supply about 4500 km of high voltage transmission lines across the country, GRIDCO said its power network was often faced with numerous challenges which include overloaded facilities, due to inability to increase capacity to match demand, system security and the use of AFLS, and the lack of spare parts to replace worn-out equipment.
At a press briefing on the state of the national power system in Accra recently, GRIDCO noted that it had outlined some activities to improve upon its systems performance and reliability, by reducing the effects of some of its challenges in the transmission network.
Officials of the company said the construction of transmission lines between Kumasi and Obuasi, Aboadze and Tema would be completed in July and at the end of the year respectively, whilst that of the Accra 3rd Bulk Supply Point at Agyirigano, would also be completed by the end of the year 2010.
The company said it would double the capacity of the Mallam substation to improve power supply to Accra West by the end of the year. It also gave assurance of the completion of the Kumasi 2nd Bulk Supply Point in 2011.
GRIDCO said it would make replacements of all equipment at the Volta and Akosombo switching stations, in order to improve on its services to the nation.
It however promised to ensure theh continuous maintenance and operation of the National Interconnected Transmission System (NITS), even under difficult conditions, whilst it would ensure timely completion of its planned projects, aimed at improving on its transmission system.