The Tema Area has successfully completed a major transformer upgrade at the Smelter II (SM60) Substation, enhancing capacity at the substation and strengthening supply reliability across the Tema Region.
The project involved the replacement of the existing 50/66MVA transformer (60T1) with a new 120/145MVA unit, effectively more than doubling the transformer capacity at the facility. This upgrade marks a strategic investment in reinforcing operational resilience and meeting growing demand within the National Interconnected Transmission System (NITS).
Elsewedy Electric, the transformer manufacturer, was engaged to undertake the works in line with the equipment warranty requirements. While the Contractor provided technical support and supervised critical stages of the installation, GRIDCo’s Tema Area team played a leading and hands-on role throughout the process. The assembling, oil filtration and testing of the transformer were executed by GRIDCo Engineers, reflecting the depth of in-house technical expertise.
The Electrical Maintenance and Protection & Control (P&C) Sections worked diligently alongside the Contractor to deliver the project successfully. The effort was ably led by Ing. Benefit E.A.K. Patu (PhD.), and Ing. Francis Koomson, whose teams demonstrated professionalism, coordination and commitment throughout.
The project also received strong support from the Director, Southern Network Department (SND), Ing. Francis Arthur; the Tema Area Manager, Ing. Stephen Amoah; staff of SND at the Head Office; and the specialised equipment operators from the Tema Area Line Maintenance Section.
This upgrade has not only increased load capacity but also reinforced GRIDCo’s ongoing commitment to strengthening the transmission backbone of Ghana’s power system through strategic investment and collaborative teamwork.
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Smelter II Substation is one of the critical stations in the NITS. It is the interconnection between the Volta substation and Smelter (S3-VALCO) substation. Additionally, it receives generation from Sunon Asogli Power Plant, AKSA, Bridge Power and CEN Power. The substation has two (2) power transformers with capacities of 120/145MVA (60T1) and 50/66MVA (60T2).
