The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) is undertaking a significant transformer replacement and upgrade at the Batsonaa Primary Substation, a critical move to enhance power supply reliability. This project, scheduled from Sunday, May 31, to Monday, June 1, 2026, aims to boost capacity from 20/26 MVA to 30/39 MVA. The upgrade occurs as ECG grapples with numerous network faults that caused extensive power outages across the Ashanti, Tema, and Western Regions on Friday, May 22, 2026.
Context of the Upgrade Programme
This initiative is part of the government’s broader Transformer Replacement and Upgrade Programme. The program’s objective is to strengthen the national power distribution network, thereby reducing system overloads and improving the consistency of electricity delivery to consumers. ECG has previously completed similar upgrades at substations including Adenta, Nmai Dzorm, Lashibi, Teshie-Nungua, and Kumasi Ridge.
Batsonaa Upgrade Schedule and Affected Areas
The replacement of the existing transformer at Batsonaa Substation with a higher-capacity unit will necessitate phased power interruptions. These outages are expected to last approximately six hours for each affected group.
Group A, encompassing industrial and commercial entities along Spintex Road such as Mawako Fast Food, Alfa Trading, Goil Filling Station, Spintex Plaza, Coca Cola Factory, Kasapreko, and China Mall, will experience power disruptions from 6:00 am to 12:00 pm on Sunday, May 31. A second outage for this group is scheduled from 12:00 am to 6:00 am on Monday, June 1.
Group B, which includes financial institutions like First Bank, Stanbic Bank, GCB, Access Bank, UBA Bank, alongside Watt son Factory, Tropical Cables, and other facilities, will be affected from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Sunday, May 31.
Group C, covering areas like Shop N Save, Entrance University, Nasco Shop, Kasapreko, Devtraco Ltd, and Indomine Factory, will face outages from 6:00 pm to 12:00 am on Sunday, May 31.
Impact of Recent Network Faults
The scheduled upgrade follows a period of significant network instability. On Friday, May 22, 2026, multiple faults led to widespread power outages across several regions.
In the Ashanti South Region, distinct faults affected communities including Edubiase, Fumso, Kwabenakwa, Asonkore, Alhaji Awal, Boko, Twedie, Foase, Ntronntroso, Trabuom, Ofoase, Manso Nkwanta, Dadiesoaba, and Asafo.
The Tema Region experienced substantial disruptions due to a network fault impacting areas such as Wildlife, PW Quarries, Eastern Quarries, Twin Quarries, Recycling, Inzag, Bright Cement, and numerous smaller communities and facilities. A separate fault in Tema affected Able Academy, Timber Market, Community 25 Mall, and many other locations.
An upstream challenge in the Tema Region caused even more widespread outages, affecting Afienya, various quarry sites, Greenhouse Enclave, Apollonia City, Katamanso, TOR Estates, and extending to communities like Ashaiman, Dawhenya, Prampram, and Central University.
In the Western Region, a faulty transformer at Nkotompo resulted in power loss for Nkotompo, Ngyeramoabekam, and surrounding areas.
ECG’s Response and Reassurance
The ECG has issued public notices apologizing for the inconvenience caused by both the planned upgrade and the unplanned faults. The company assures customers that its engineers are working diligently to resolve all network issues.
ECG emphasizes that the Batsonaa upgrade is a necessary measure to ensure the long-term resilience and reliability of the power distribution network. Investing in upgraded infrastructure is presented as crucial for preventing future overloads and maintaining a stable power supply.
Future Implications
This upgrade at Batsonaa is a critical step towards modernizing Ghana’s power infrastructure. The successful completion of this project, alongside ongoing efforts to address network faults, will be a key indicator of ECG’s capacity to meet the growing demand for electricity. Consumers and businesses in the affected areas can anticipate improved power stability in the long term, though the immediate period will involve planned disruptions. The effectiveness of such upgrades in preventing future widespread outages will be closely watched by industry observers and the public alike.
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