The Ghana Power Compact, funded by the Millennium Challenge Corporation appointed SMEC to help reduce technical losses across Greater Accra’s distribution network. Located in the southwestern part of Greater Accra the works incorporated a new 161/33kV Bulk Supply Point at Kasoa, to service sub stations in Cape Coast, Winneba and Mallam.
A key part of SMEC’s scope was to prepare the functional design and to review the EPC design of the gas insulated substation, only the second of its kind in the country. This innovative power solution incorporated a 50MVAr STATCOM regulator, which affords operators greater system control, because it can absorb and produce reactive power, which helps stabilise the network voltages.
SMEC then supervised the construction and commissioning of the substation and switchyard, providing project management and technical support. As part of the planned outages, SMEC scheduled an outage plan that minimised disruption to the local community. The energization process involved two major outages between sub stations.
Following a meticulous phase of pre-commissioning and final testing the outages were granted, enabling the team to carry out final connections. The energization process was successfully carried out the 21st of February 2022, marking a major milestone in the vision to increase power reliability and supply capacity in greater Accra.
Main image: 34.5kV Switchgear and transformer – part of the newly constructed Kasoa 161kV substation equipment. The switchgears comprise disconnectors, breakers and transformers to control alternating current.
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