The Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has commissioned the West African nation’s second-largest Bulk Supply Point (BSP) in Kasoa (BSP) in the East Awutu-Senya Municipality of the Central Region.
The Kasoa BSP is the second-largest Bulk Supply Point after the Pokuase Bulk Supply Point in the Greater Accra Region.
It was funded by the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), a United States Agency, at the cost of US$50 million.
The project was executed by the Millennium Development Authority (MiDA), the entity implementing the Ghana Power Compact II with Siemens Energy SAS as a contractor.
It will ensure improved and reliable power supply to residents and businesses in Kasoa, as well as Winneba and nearby communities.
Speaking at the commissioning of the 435 Mega Volts Amps (MVA) Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) substation, Vice President Dr. Bawumia said the project, which started two and a half years ago, would significantly improve power supply in the fast-growing and rapidly industrialising Kasoa community and beyond.
“This strategic investment will also contribute to the reduction in technical losses, improve power quality and also resolve issues related to the quantum of unserved energy, thereby, improving the operational efficiency and finances of ECG and GRIDCo,” Dr. Bawumia added.
The Vice President noted that the Kasoa Bulk Supply Point, which is the second of two programmes under the US Government’s Millennium Challenge Account agreement with Ghana, has, together with the other programme, added to the wealth of Ghana.
“From the Agricultural Transformation Compact in 2007-2012 and to the Power Compact, from 2017 to date, Ghana’s Compact Programmes have benefited from some US$863 million grant funds that have supported investments in vital projects and aided players in our local supply chains,” Dr. Bawumia said.
“These interventions, funded by the Government and People of the United States of America, have resolved some binding constraints in two vital sectors of our economy, and have left excellent benchmarks in Development Programme Management that are worthy of emulation; in particular the use of donor funds to complete projects on time and within budget.”
The Vice President conveyed Ghana’s sincerest appreciation to the Government of the United States of America for its support and cooperation.
On the state of power supply in the country, Dr. Bawumia said the government of the NPP has invested significantly to improve the erratic power supply the government inherited.
“As we inaugurate a significant piece of power infrastructure like this substation today, it is worth noting that lots of resources have also gone into Ghana’s Energy sector since our government came into Office in 2017. This is evidenced by the fact that the phenomenon of erratic power supply has eased, and the availability of good quality power has improved, enabling businesses to gradually increase production and enhance productivity.”
The inauguration of the Kasoa Bulk Power Supply brings to an end Ghana’s second programme under the Millennium Challenge Account agreements.
Ghana remains one of the only a few countries to complete two programmes under the MCA, and Dr Bawumia, who was involved in both agreements, made a call to the United States for a third Compact Agreement.
“As the Compact draws to a close, let me emphasise that the bond between Ghana and the United States of America will continue to strengthen, enabling the realisation of our shared values, which focus on sustainable economic growth, job creation and poverty reduction.
“We eagerly look forward to Ghana’s nomination for yet another Millennium Challenge Compact Programme.
“I was intimately involved in the first Compact, I was intimately involved in the 2nd Compact and I hope to be intimately involved in the 3rd Compact.”
The Board Chairperson of MiDA, Prof Ntiamoa-Baidu, who commended all the stakeholders for contributing to the successful completion and handling of the project, was hopeful that the project would support the development of the power sector, boost private sector investments, improve productivity and raise the earning potential from self-employment, for men and women in the coverage area.
Board Chairman of Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo), Ambassador Kabral Blay-Amihere, said despite some challenges faced in the energy sector, GRIDCo has worked to improve power transmission to ECG.
On his part, the Managing Director of ECG, Samuel Dubik Masubir Mahama, praised the USA Government and MiDA for the project, noting that it would improve power reliability to ECG customers.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
