Takoradi, Nov. 20 - GNA - Professor Mike Ocquaye, Minister of Energy, on Saturday, announced that electricity was extended to one hundred and ten communities under Self- Help Electrification Project in the Western Region in 2004.

He was speaking during a visit to the Western Regional Office of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) at Takoradi. The beneficiary communities include Bonsukrom, Amakrom, Yabiw and Abese in the Ahanta West district and Kwekukrom, Yerase and Ankaase, Samreboi in Amenfi West.

Others are Abokyea Yankoman, Kramokrom and Asantekramo in Aowin-Suaman, Breman and Lineso in the Bibiani district as well as Ebonola and Allowanie in Jomoro district.

Professor Ocquaye said the project was financed with 10 million Euro European Development Fund assistance.

He said obsolete switchgears at Sefwi Dwenase and Awaso electricity sub-stations would be replaced with modern state of the art switchgears at a total cost of one point six billion cedis.

Professor Ocquaye said replacement works is scheduled to begin in February 2006 and would be completed in June 2006.

He said on completion, the frequent power interruptions caused by malfunctioning of outdated equipment would be minimized. Professor Ocquaye said power transformers at Ketan, Airport roundabout in Takoradi and Amunfo Kuma would be upgraded to meet the growing demand for electricity in Sekondi-Takoradi.

He said a new substation would be constructed at the Takoradi Harbour area to serve the area and its environs.

Professor Ocquaye said the project, estimated at 15 billion cedis would start in March 2006, and completed in December 2006.

He said the ECG is using its own internally generated resources to finance these projects in the sub-transmission upgrade.

Professor Ocquaye urged the public to pay their bills and to expose those engaged in illegal connection to enable the company to improve its services.

Mr Emmanuel Antwi-Darkwa, Director of Power at the Ministry of Energy, said there are plans to construct a 330 megawatts thermal plant at Tema.