Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire to Begin Construction of 330kV Cross-Border Transmission Line Under WAPP
Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire are set to commence the construction of a 243-kilometre 330-kilovolt (kV) double-circuit transmission line as part of the West Africa Power Pool (WAPP) initiative aimed at boosting regional energy integration and grid reliability.
The cross-border infrastructure, expected to significantly enhance electricity exchange between the two countries, will also contribute to the stability of power networks across the West African subregion.
Estimated at a total cost of €154.4 million, the project scope includes environmental and social impact mitigation measures, construction supervision, and project management, with feasibility studies confirming its technical and financial viability in Ghana.
Speaking at a ministerial committee meeting on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo), Ing. Mark Baah, emphasized the project’s strategic role in regional cooperation within the energy sector.
“The project involves the construction of a 330kV double-circuit transmission line, stretching approximately 243 kilometres—about 122 kilometres on each side of the border,” Ing. Baah noted.
According to him, the new line will connect the Biahoué (Bijave) substation in Côte d’Ivoire to the proposed Dunkwa 2 substation in Ghana. “While there is currently a Dunkwa 1 substation, it operates at 161kV. This new facility in Dunkwa will operate at 330kV,” he added.
The GRIDCo CEO further explained that the project is expected to deepen bilateral power trade and provide wider benefits by supporting grid stability across member states under the ECOWAS framework.
“This project has been assessed as both technically sound and environmentally manageable. It aligns with WAPP’s long-term objective of creating a unified, reliable, and sustainable electricity market in West Africa,” he stated.
The WAPP initiative, spearheaded by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), is focused on interconnecting national electricity grids into a cohesive regional system that supports efficient and competitive cross-border power trading.
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