The construction of two 7.5MVA, 34.5KV primary substations and their associated distribution lines at the cost of GH¢50.3million are currently underway at Kotokrom near Sunyani and Tamale in the Brong Ahafo and Northern Regions respectively.

The projects, funded by a grant from the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) also involves the extension of 34.5kv switchgear at GRIDCo’s Bulk Supply Point (BSP) in Tamale and Sunyani, 34.5kv sub-transmission lines, 11.5kv distribution lines among others.

The two projects expected to be completed by August 2015 by Mitsubishi Corporation of Japan are primed to increase the system capacity to allow the connection of additional consumers to the national grid, reduce distribution losses in the two areas and enhance reliability of power supply.

It will also ensure improved system voltages quality especially to the Sunyani Regional Hospital, Liberation Barracks in Sunyani, Nyankpala Health Clinic and the University for Development Studies, Tamale.

During a familiarization tour of the Kotorom project site, John Jinapor, Deputy Minister of Energy and Petroleum said the two projects have become necessary as a result of the overstretch of the existing power infrastructure in the catchment areas of the projects.

He said: “the continuous growth in demand over the period and anticipated future demand growth will result in greater difficulties and seriously impact on the quality of supply and reliability, hence the intervention to curtail that, adding the materials and equipment shipment are currently in progress.”

Meanwhile, a source says delays by government agencies in issuing tax exemptions and inadequate staffing of the Northern Electricity Distribution Company of the Volta River Authority (NEDCo-VRA) to handle the civil work could affect the completion timeline.