The General Manager of External Communications for the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Charles Nii Ayiku Ayiku, says about 100 transformers operating close to or beyond their capacity across southern Ghana will be replaced as part of a major power infrastructure upgrade.

Speaking on The Pulse on March 11, Mr Ayiku explained that the replacement programme forms part of broader interventions under the Electricity Power Programme (EPP) and the National Electricity Transition Initiative (NETI).

According to him, ECG will oversee the upgrades in southern Ghana while the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) handles the northern sector.

Mr Ayiku noted that the exercise will involve replacing transformers currently serving existing consumers but operating near or beyond their capacity.

On whether customers should expect power outages during the replacement process, he said ECG has developed a strategy to minimise disruptions.

“It is not about ‘dumsor’. It is about replacement,” he explained.

“We have put in place a comprehensive strategy that includes pre-informing customers before we begin work. Where we need to isolate supply in certain areas, we will communicate that to them in advance.”

He added that in some cases, ECG may redirect customers to nearby transformers to avoid power interruptions.

“If it is not necessary for customers to experience an outage and we can move them to a nearby transformer while we work, we will do that. So, some customers may not even experience any outage at all,” he said.

However, he appealed to consumers for patience where temporary interruptions become unavoidable.

“We are pleading with our customers that should there be any outage, we apologise in advance because the work is meant to improve the quality of supply,” he added.

Mr Ayiku said the upgrade process involves several technical preparations before transformers are installed, including work on platforms and other supporting infrastructure.

He assured customers that once the replacements are completed, they should expect improved electricity supply and reduced pressure on the network.