The Institute for Energy Security (IES) has called on the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) to protect the interest of Ghanaians and hold power providers accountable as different parts of the country face power outages.

The call comes on the back of the recent public outcry over the incessant power outages in many parts of the country.

Frustrations are intensifying over Ghana’s energy sector following the unending power outages recorded in different part of the country. Residents are asking for the government to announce a load-shedding timetable instead of blaming the situation on equipment maintenance.

Meanwhile, GRIDCo has announced that some obsolete equipment needs to be replaced and/or maintained. Thus, the release of a load-shedding timetable in the coming days.

In light of this, IES Executive Director, Nana Amoasi VII has accused the PURC of failing to hold power providers accountable as the situation worsens.

According to him, the PURC has said on several occasions it would investigate issues, but have never come out with a report.

“It’s becoming too much. We hear too much from PURC as to going to investigate on every issue. Yet, we have never had any report.”

“So, we’ll ask the PURC to sit up because it is their duty to protect the consumer… Ghanaians have every right to question the operation of PURC and how they intend to safeguard the interest of consumers.”
Nana Amoasi VII, IES Executive Director

Causes of recent “Dumsor”

Speaking on the situation, John Jinapor, ranking member of Mines and Energy Committee of Parliament, has said Ghana’s energy sector is on the verge of collapsing following failure to improve the system.

He explained that the two main areas of GRIDCo’s operations are the technical and financial sides. This is because the financial side is what gives revenue to invest in the technical side, he added.

According to him, the power producer doesn’t have the financial ability to invest in tools to supply electricity for the growing population.

“if you know that you are going to undertake a maintenance job and that a certain area will be knocked off, is it not proper, prudent, professional that you inform customers within the affected areas so they can plan their life?”

“They are not telling the truth. We also have people there. GRIDCo is bankrupt, That’s a fact. They don’t have money. Over the past four years, they’ve been struggling to stay afloat. Thus, they’ve not been able to maintain a lot of their equipment. A lot of their equipment is now obsolete”.
John Jinapor, ranking member Mines and Energy Committee of Parliament

He further indicated that there is an increase in consumption due to population growth. Thus, there is pressure on ECG’s equipment and GRIDCo’s equipment as well.

GRIDCo, however is in discussion with ECG to release a load shedding timetable following major maintenance works from April to July 2021. This is to enable people in affected areas plan their lives properly within the period of the maintenance project.