By Benjamin Akoto, GNA
Sunyani, (Bono), Jan. 22, GNA – Mr Eugene Odoi Addo, the Sunyani Area Manager of the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) has appealed to consumers to cooperate, as the company fixes its faulty transformer to restore power supply in full capacity.
He said the 33 MegaVolt Amperes (MVA) transformer, which extended power to parts of Sunyani and its environs, had developed a major fault, saying that forced the company to undertake power rationing to the affected areas.
Addressing a news conference in Sunyani, Mr Addo explained that the company experienced the fault at its GRIDCO switchyard 1600 hours on Tuesday January 20, saying that compelled the engineers to shut down the transformer and to prevent further damages.
He said: “When the engineers assess the situation, it was discovered that the fault is a major one and requires time to fix it”, he explained adding that the company had begun engagement with key stakeholders and consumers.
“Our other transformer with a capacity of 20MVA, can’t accommodate the entire load”, he stated and stressed the need to undertake the power ration “until the faulty transformer is repaired and restored to full capacity”.
Mr Addo assured that: “The GRIDCo is still assessing the situation to ensure that full power can be restored to the Sunyani area”, saying until the problem was resolved “the residents will have to endure the power rationing”.
He said NEDCO presently lacked the capacity to supply power to all customers because of the fault, saying that: “consumers will now experience about eight hours of power supply intervals, either in the morning, afternoon or evening”.
Mr Addo indicated that: “Our engineers are still working to bring the situation under control,” however could not give specific timelines as to when the problem would be resolved and urged the public to use power judiciously and to conserve energy.
“Power conservation is crucial at this time”, he advised.
Meanwhile, the Communications Department of the GRIDCo has assured the public that the company has stepped up efforts to resolve the power problem.
According to a statement issued by the Department and copied to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) the “GRIDCo in collaboration with NEDCo is actively working to redirect loads to the 20MVA transformer serving the Sunyani township”
GNA
Edited by Dennis Peprah/Linda Asante Agyei