The Millennium Development Authority (MiDA) on Wednesday handed over a $14.5 million primary station in Kanda to the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to provide electricity to key national institutions and residents in the catchment area.
The 78 megavolt-amperes (MVA) will power facilities such as 37 Military Hospital, Kotoka International Airport, Jubilee House, Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge Hospital), the National Mosque and adjacent communities; Kanda, Nima, Burma Camp, Ridge, Airport Residential Area and Cantonments.
More than 200,000 residents in the Ellen Moran substation’s catchment area will benefit directly from the energy infrastructure investment.
The facility was named after Ellen Kavanagh Moran, a retired Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) employee, for her selfless service.
The project is one of many power infrastructure projects being built as part of ECG’s financial and operational transformation project Ghana Power Compact II with funds from the MCC, a US government foreign assistance initiative.
So far, two out of eight substations planned for construction in the Greater Accra region have been completed.
William Owuraku Aidoo Assistant Secretary of Energy, at the inauguration of the Ellen Moran Primary Substation in Accra, said a robust, sustainable and reliable power supply was critical to the country’s industrialization efforts to create socio-economic growth.
He said the Akufo-Addo-led government is undertaking several energy infrastructure projects to meet the electricity needs of the ever-growing population.
The substation would reduce the technical losses of the TOE in its distribution network and ensure quality service delivery.
The deputy minister expressed the ministry’s commitment to ensure stable and affordable power supply for consumers across the country.
Professor Yaa Ntiamoa-Baidu, Chief Executive Officer of MiDA, said in a speech read on her behalf that the plant will help meet the growing electricity needs of consumers in the enclave of kanda and improve the productivity, income and social outcomes of the improve residents.
She said the facility has all modern protection and safety equipment for operators and the public and is connected to fiber optic broadband for effective communications.
Additionally, she stated that the substation and associated connection and relief circuitry would ensure the ECG will ensure greater flexibility in powering consumers and will help reduce commercial and engineering losses.
Mr. Samuel Dubik Masubir Mahama, Managing Director of ECG, said the facility will provide a robust, stable and efficient power supply for the adjacent communities such as Nima, Airport Residential Area and Burma Camp, as well as key public facilities such as The 37 The Military Hospital which provides regular power supply provides, ensures the power supply for effective healthcare.
Mr. Steve Marma, Resident Country Director of MCC, expressed the United States Government’s determination to support Ghana’s quest for industrialization by funding critical infrastructure projects.
The substation housed two outdoor 30/39 MVA power transformers and 33 kV and 11 kV switchyards in a basement-style control building.
The Ellen Moran substation and the connection and relief circuits were planned by Eiffage Energie Systemes. TBEA Co. Ltd and Messrs Best and Crompton Engineering Ghana Limited.
The project was designed and managed by SMEC International.
A tribute was read in honor of Ms. Moran, who was responsible for the development and implementation of infrastructure projects in compact and emerging programs.
