By Patrick Biddah
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo), Mr Mark Baah, has described the 330kV Double Circuit Interconnection Project between Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire as a strategic investment in West Africa’s energy future.
He made this statement during a high-level meeting of energy sector leaders and technical experts in Accra on June 25, 2025.
Speaking at the gathering, Mr. Baah emphasized the project’s relevance in strengthening cross-border electricity trade under the West African Power Pool (WAPP) and supporting the ECOWAS vision of a unified electricity market.
“This project will remove critical transmission bottlenecks, increase trade efficiency, and enhance energy security in the sub-region,” he stated.
The interconnection project, spanning 122 kilometers of high-voltage double circuit transmission lines, is designed to reinforce the existing infrastructure between the two countries and ensure increased capacity to support expanding electricity demand and trade.
According to Mr. Baah, the implementation of the ECOWAS Master Plan for Regional Power Generation and Transmission (2019–2033) placed the interconnection project high on the regional agenda.
“It is not just a bilateral initiative—it’s a regional asset,” he stressed.
“This project is not just about infrastructure,” Mr. Baah reiterated. “It is about enabling industrial growth, powering communities, and integrating economies. Energy is the foundation of development, and this project delivers just that.”
Also addressing the meeting, Mr. Solomon Adjetey Sowah, Chief Director at Ghana’s Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, highlighted the long-term value of the interconnection to national and regional economies.
“This is a milestone for regional energy integration. The Ministry fully supports the institutional framework being established to drive timely and effective execution,” he said.
Mr. Sowah further underscored the commitment of Ghana to provide technical and institutional support for the project, noting that formal agreements including a Memorandum of Understanding and a procurement framework are ready to be signed by the respective Ministers and utility CEOs.
The project, initially studied in 2011 but delayed due to various challenges, was relaunched in 2022 under renewed political and technical collaboration.
It will now proceed under a structured interstate institutional framework, including a Committee of Ministers, a Technical Steering Committee, and national implementation units.
Representing the West African Power Pool (WAPP), Mr. Abdoulaye Dia, Secretary General, described the project as a flagship initiative that aligns with ECOWAS’ broader vision of a reliable and interconnected energy network.
“It is ambitious, but necessary. The expertise within our region gives us every confidence that we can deliver,” he said.
Mr. Dia also praised the cooperation between Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, calling it “a model of regional energy diplomacy.”
He expressed hope that this momentum would extend to other ECOWAS countries as the regional power market expands.
The feasibility study guiding the interconnection project was developed through rigorous analysis and consultation with experts from both countries, and validated by national utilities and ministries.
These studies confirmed both the technical and financial viability of the project, with strong attention to environmental and social considerations.
The Accra meeting was convened to finalize review of the pre-investment outcomes and institutional documents before submission to the Ministerial Committee for official endorsement and implementation.
As preparations move toward signing and official launch, all stakeholders expressed confidence in the project’s timely delivery and its role in transforming the regional electricity landscape.
The WAPP 330kV interconnection between Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire stands as a beacon of practical regional cooperation, blending infrastructure with political will.
