ECG Unveils GHS 3.46bn Investment Programme to Stabilise Power Supply
The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has announced a GHS 3.46 billion investment programme to restore stability in electricity supply, following persistent outages and low voltage experienced across parts of the country.
The Acting Managing Director of ECG, Kwame Kpekpena, disclosed that the intervention will prioritise the distribution segment of the power value chain, which he described as the most neglected component of Ghana’s electricity system.
Speaking at a press briefing in Accra, Mr Kpekpena emphasised that the reliability of electricity supply ultimately depends on efficient distribution to end users.
“Electricity does not end its journey at power plants or along high-voltage lines. Its true value is realised only when it is reliably delivered to homes, businesses, schools, and hospitals,” he stated.
As part of the programme, ECG will inject 2,500 distribution transformers into the network to ease pressure on overloaded systems. The initiative will also involve the replacement of damaged equipment and the reinforcement of critical infrastructure under an operational drive dubbed “Operation Keep the Lights On.”
The company attributed the current challenges to years of underinvestment, ageing infrastructure, and rapid urbanisation, which have significantly strained the distribution network.
“This moment we are facing did not arise overnight. It is the result of years, indeed decades, of underinvestment and poor planning in one of the most critical segments of our electricity supply chain,” Mr Kpekpena noted.
Data from ECG indicates a steady increase in transformer failures, rising from 834 in 2023 to 1,064 in 2024. However, only about 300 units had been replaced by 2025, exacerbating network constraints and contributing to recurring outages.
Beyond transformer deployment, the investment programme will target the replacement of deteriorated poles, upgrades to substations, expansion of feeder capacity, and the deployment of modern technologies, including drones for network inspection.
ECG further revealed that work has commenced on key projects, including transformer upgrades at the Nmai Dzorn and Lashibi substations, which have already improved supply capacity to several communities.
Mr Kpekpena acknowledged the impact of the outages on households and businesses and apologised to affected customers.
“To every Ghanaian customer who has endured inconvenient and prolonged power outages, we sincerely apologise. We want you to know that we have heard your voice,” he said.
He added that the company has developed a clear implementation schedule, supported by government reforms, including adjustments to the Cash Waterfall Mechanism to enable ECG retain a portion of its revenue for infrastructure investment.
“We have a plan, we have a schedule, and we are committing all our resources to execute it,” he assured.
The investment programme comes at a time of heightened public concern over power reliability, with ECG maintaining that the intervention will help stabilise the network and improve service delivery in the near term.
