Agence Française de Développement (AFD), or other the French Development Agency in English, has set aside approximately US$ 11.8m for the enhancement of electricity network in Ghana. or other the French Development Agency in English, has set aside approximately US$ 11.8m for the enhancement of electricity network in Ghana.

The funds will go to the benefit of the West African country’s transmission company and system operator namely Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo), which was established in 2008 with a mandate to ensure the provision of transparent, non-discriminatory and open access to the transmission grid for all the participants in the power market particularly, power generators and bulk consumers and thus bring about efficiency in power deliver.

The utilization of the funds

According to reports, GRIDCo will use the funds for works on the interconnection line between Ghana and the neighboring Republic of Burkina Faso.

To be precise, the funds will be used to increase the capacity of the 161 kV transmission line that stretches approximately 18 kilometers between the towns of Ahodowo and Anwomaso in the city of Kumasi.

This works will, on the one hand, increase access to electricity in the northern region of the country and, on the other hand, increase the capacity to export electricity from Ghana to Burkina Faso.

They will also hugely support the transfer of energy from the southern region of the country to Burkina through the transmission line connecting the towns of Bolgatanga and Kumasi while at the same time reducing line losses.

Contribution to the quest to remain a leader in electrical transmission in the sub-region

According to Jonathan Amoako-Baah, the executive director of GRIDCo, this funding represents a significant contribution to the company’s/countries quest to remain a leader in electrical transmission in the sub-region.

“Our long-standing relationship with the European Union (EU) through AFD continues to be invaluable in the supply of quality electricity in West Africa in accordance with Sustainable Development Goal 7”, he affirmed.

Ghana exports energy to all of its neighbors. Its electrical power has indeed increased from 1,652 MW in 2000 to 5,172 MW in 2019.