The Managing Director for the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Kwame Agyemang Budu, has disclosed that the introduction of drones in the company’s operations has increased its efficiency.

According to him, an appreciable amount of money has been invested into technology in a bid to enhance its engineering and operational activities to improve service delivery.

Mr Badu revealed that, coupled with support from government, his outfit has installed a VIT Feeder Automation scheme, SCADA coverage of Primary Substations and introduced drones to monitor its networks.

The ECG MD explained that the VIT Feeder Automation Scheme automatically identifies and “sectionalises specific problem areas” on its networks. This, he noted, is done in a coordinated manner for prompt and “automatic rectification”, without having to cut off the power supply to wide areas.
Mr Kwame Agyemang Budu

Elaborating on the SCADA Coverage of Primary Substations, Mr Badu disclosed that it is another initiative which enables ECG to monitor and operate its Bulk Supply Points remotely. He insisted that the Primary Substations helps them to promptly “correct anomalies” without human interventions.

“The introduction of Drones in our operations is another remarkable step in improving efficiency in our operations by proactively monitoring our networks for proper vegetation control and checking the work of third party contractors who have been assigned the responsibility to ensure non-interference of vegetation in our system.”
Mr Kwame Agyemang Budu

ECG customers cautioned against stealing installations

Speaking at the commissioning of a customer service centre in Abor in the Keta Municipality of the Volta Region, Mr Budu stated that the establishment of the service centre is aimed at bridging the gap between customers and the power distribution company.

The centre, he revealed, will help in reducing the frequency and duration of outages. Mr Budu added that work on an express 33kV Feeder between Kpando and Hohoe is ongoing to ensure the reliability of power supply to the Oti and Volta regions.

Following this, he urged customers and stakeholders to shun vandalising and stealing ECG installations.

“Unfortunately, quite recently, there was a report of vandalisation of ECG transformer near Denu in the Keta South Municipality here in the Volta Region, which rendered Denu and other adjoining communities like Hatsukofe and Atsapui, among others, in total darkness. I encourage all to be watchful and protect ECG installations which is a national asset, to ensure the reliability of power supply for our mutual benefit”.
Mr Kwame Agyemang Budu

To this end, he cautioned those who engage in illegal connection about the presence of the National Taskforce in ensuring they are held liable.

On his part, the Volta Region ECG General Manager, Emmanuel Lumor, expressed his outfit’s commitment to customer satisfaction. He indicated that 400 transformers have been installed in addition to the existing 2,445 to augment the power supply in the Volta and Oti Regions.

He also indicated that following the completion and commissioning of some of these projects, there has been significant improvements in power supply throughout the Region.

“We have also adopted strategies like an intensification of vegetation control activities and the inspection of transformers serving our customers to ensure we have a robust distribution network to provide safe, reliable and quality electricity services… Most of our stakeholders have testified privately and publicly to the vast improvement in the stability and reliability of electricity supply over the past several months”.
Mr Emmanuel Lumor