ECG Launched Intensive Vegetation Clearance Drive to Prevent Power Outages

The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has started an intensive tree-pruning and right-of-way-clearing exercise across the Ashanti Region to reduce power outages during the rainy season. This exercise aims to tackle electricity disruptions caused by overgrown vegetation, which affects power lines and equipment during storms and heavy rainfall.

Ashanti Sub-Transmission General Manager, Kofi Apau Ohenese, said that falling branches and encroaching vegetation are major causes of feeder trips, voltage fluctuations, and equipment damage. “Government is supporting ECG to improve infrastructure on the network, but we must also pay serious attention to vegetation control and management to improve supply reliability in the Ashanti Region,” he said during an inter-regional operations meeting in Kumasi. This effort is part of a larger initiative to reduce power outages in the region.

To accelerate the exercise, ECG has started paying arrears owed to contractors responsible for vegetation control and tree cutting. At least six firms have been engaged for the project, with work currently ongoing along the Akyawkrom-Kuntenase-Bekwai, Anwomaso-Achiase, and Akyawkrom-Effiduase-Kumawu corridors. Ing. Ohenese disclosed that all outstanding debts owed to contractors have been cleared to encourage stronger participation and speed up maintenance work on critical sections of the electricity network.

ECG is also engaging with communities to discourage planting tall trees under power lines and within transmission buffer zones. Manager for Network Maintenance at Ashanti Sub-Transmission, James M. Yevunya, said about 75 percent of the work has already been completed ahead of the June deadline. We're focusing on supply reliability and public safety. Our target is to eliminate vegetation-related tripping on our network, he stated.

ECG has deployed technology to support the exercise through its Network Management System App, which is being used for real-time patrols and inspections. Some industrial users in the region have welcomed the intervention. An operations engineer at UNICEM Cement Ghana Limited said persistent voltage fluctuations in the Bekwai enclave sometimes disrupt production lines during peak periods. “If ECG’s vegetation control program is sustained, it should help reduce some of these interruptions,” the engineer said.

But how will ECG ensure that this exercise is sustained, and power outages will indeed be reduced in the Ashanti Region? This will depend on the participation of communities and the commitment of contractors.

Ashanti Sub-Transmission General Manager, Kofi Apau Ohenese, has led several efforts to improve power supply in the region. He has been instrumental in ensuring that power outages are minimized in the Ashanti Region. However, the recent efforts by ECG to clear vegetation along power lines are a new initiative. The Ashanti Region has experienced frequent power outages, which have disrupted economic activities. Businesses and homes have suffered due to the lack of power supply.

The current initiative by ECG aims to address this challenge.

According to Ing. Ohenese, the initiative will not only reduce power outages but also improve supply reliability in the region. Ing. Ohenese has assured that ECG will continue to engage with communities to ensure that they understand the importance of clearing vegetation along power lines. “Supply reliability and public safety are our ultimate goals. Our target is to eliminate vegetation-related tripping on our network,” he said.

The success of the initiative will be measured by the reduction in power outages and the improvement in supply reliability. ECG will continue to monitor the situation and make adjustments as necessary. The initiative is expected to benefit not only the Ashanti Region but also other regions that experience similar challenges. In fact, the Ghanaian government has pledged to support ECG in its efforts to improve power supply in the region, providing resources and expertise to help ECG achieve its goals.

The initiative by ECG to clear vegetation along power lines is a significant step towards improving power supply in the Ashanti Region and benefiting the economy. However, the initiative's success depends on the participation of communities and the commitment of contractors. ECG aims to tackle electricity disruptions caused by overgrown vegetation, which often affects power lines and equipment during storms and heavy rainfall. At least six firms have been engaged for the project, with work currently ongoing along the Akyawkrom-Kuntenase-Bekwai, Anwomaso-Achiase, and Akyawkrom-Effiduase-Kumawu corridors. Ing.

Ohenese has assured that all outstanding debts owed to contractors have been cleared to encourage stronger participation and speed up maintenance work on critical sections of the electricity network.

Manager for Network Maintenance at Ashanti Sub-Transmission, James M. Yevunya, said that about 75 percent of the work has already been completed ahead of the June deadline. ECG has deployed technology to support the exercise through its Network Management System App, which is being used for real-time patrols and inspections. The initiative aims to reduce power outages and improve supply reliability in the Ashanti Region. It has the potential to benefit not only the Ashanti Region but also other regions that experience similar challenges.

Key Facts:

• The initiative aims to tackle electricity disruptions caused by overgrown vegetation, which often affects power lines and equipment during storms and heavy rainfall.
• At least six firms have been engaged for the project, with work currently ongoing along the Akyawkrom-Kuntenase-Bekwai, Anwomaso-Achiase, and Akyawkrom-Effiduase-Kumawu corridors.
• Ing. Ohenese has disclosed that all outstanding debts owed to contractors have been cleared to encourage stronger participation and speed up maintenance work on critical sections of the electricity network.
• Manager for Network Maintenance at Ashanti Sub-Transmission, James M. Yevunya, said that about 75 percent of the work has already been completed ahead of the June deadline.
• ECG has deployed technology to support the exercise through its Network Management System App, which is being used for real-time patrols and inspections.
• The initiative aims to reduce power outages and improve supply reliability in the Ashanti Region.
• The initiative has the potential to benefit not only the Ashanti Region but also other regions that experience similar challenges.