GRIDCo warns squatters

Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo), would start a decongesting exercise along its Transmission Line Right-of-Way (ROW) in parts of the Greater Accra Region to enable it to upgrade the 161 kilowatt Voltage Tema-Achimota-Mallam Transmission Line.

The decongestion exercise would also allow the Company to construct an additional 400Megawatt Bulk Supply Point in the Central Business District (CBD) of Accra, using the Electricity Company of Ghana’s Sub-station on the Graphic road.

The decongestion which would be conducted on the ROW from Ashiaman, Adjirigano American House area, Dzorwulu, Kotobabi, Avenor, Industrial area, North Kaneshie, Bubuashie, Kwashieman, through Mallam would clear all activities of squatters.

The Company has therefore appealed to all persons who are operating garages, lorry parks, shops and other activities within its Transmission line ROW, to relocate immediately to enable the contractors on the project to get access to mount stronger transmission pylons and string bigger transmission lines.

Mr Albert Kwesi Quainoo, Head of Public Relations, GRIDCo, who briefed journalists on Thursday, said both projects which are scheduled to start from the first quarter of 2015 would cost 45 million dollars, and are being funded by Japan International Cooperation Agency.

When completed, the facility would provide further assurance of security of power supply to the Central Business District of Accra and enhance the redistribution of loads presently served from Achimota and Mallam Bulk Storage Point, to relieve the sub-stations of continuous overloading while making them serve as back-ups for the proposed sub-station.

Mr Quainoo said the Company would give a maximum of three months notice to squatters after which it would arrange to tow all vehicles in garages and lorry parks, demolish houses and shops within the ROW if affected persons did not voluntarily relocate to allow for the implementation of the multi-million- dollar project.

He said the project has become necessary due to the current rise in demand for electric power in the CBD of Accra, which is growing at a rate higher than 10 per cent recorded for the whole country.

According to him about 30 per cent of the total 730 Megawatt of power demand for the Greater Accra Region is consumed in the CBD as a result of increasing modernisation of the city centre.

He said there is currently increasing commercial and industrial activities and the new trend in reconstruction of single story buildings into high rise facilities had led to a considerable change in the nature of the load in the area, with increased penetration of reactive power consuming loads such as air conditioners, more lightening and sophisticated gadgets.

Mr Quainoo said GRIDCo would however engage stakeholders to ensure that the ROW is available for smooth and early implementation of the two key projects, adding that any delay in its implementation would add to the costs and impact on power delivery in the Capital and its environs.

Mr Samuel A. Adjei, Chief Technician Engineer in-Charge of Lines, GRIDCo, said the Company may in future consider entering into a joint venture with vegetable growers under its ROW to serve as measure to ward-off encroachers and squatters.