The Institute for Energy Security (IES) has received news of tariff review by the Public Utility Regulatory Authority (PURC).
The review captured in the PURC statement released on 16th January, has stated the effects of the Cedi depreciation, Inflation rates, Generation mix and the Weighted Average Cost of Gas (WACOG) as the factors which informed the end-user tariff increment by 29.96% for electricity for all consumer groups.
The IES is concerned in particular about the assumption used in establishing the new electricity tariffs beginning 1st February, 2023.
On the four key variables, the IES believe the rates for Cedi/Dollar exchange rate and inflation rates reflects market conditions.
The IES however considers the assumption used by the PURC on the electricity generation mix of 26.11% hydro and 73.89% thermal as baseless.
That assumption amounts to given priority to thermal power generation over hydro, given that water elevations for Bui and Akosombo generating stations (GS) have improved, and capable of producing close to 38% of power in 2023, in IES’ estimation.
Data from Akosombo and Bui indicate elevations at the beginning of 2023 compared to previous years are in a better position to produce more electricity than the thermals.
Bui’s water elevation is expected to help produce more megawatts to meet increasing electricity demand at particularly peak hours, and extended megawatts to support voltage on the grid and help reduce transmission losses, if dispatched conservatively throughout the year.
The Institute agrees with the expectation that bulk of the capacity generation for 2023 would come from thermal sources if natural gas supply is sustained, and planned plant maintenance schedules is strictly adhered to.
However, with improved water-head levels, hydropower generation is estimated to produce close to 38% of 2023 capacity, should hydro-electric have dispatch priority over thermal in the generation mix.
With a year-start Akosombo water level elevation of 83.10 metres (272.66 feet), it is estimated that total energy production from Akosombo GS could fall between 7,500 and 8,000 gigawatt hours (GWh) for 2023, with the Kpong GS producing roughly 990 GWh of electric energy over the period.
Also, Bui GS’ year-start elevation of 178.99 metres above sea level (masl) is enough to possibly produce an estimated 1,056 GWh of electricity in 2023.
Although the IES has anticipated that the average electricity end-user tariff (GH₵/kWh) covering residential, non-residential and special load tariff electricity consumers would see an increase within the year, the expected increase in tariff was anticipated to be marginal should more of hydro-electric power be produce from the generation mix.
IES therefore calls on the PURC to reconsider the energy mix assumption used in the tariff adjustment (to reflect improved water-head levels) as that has an impact on the Weighted Average Cost of Gas, which has been reviewed to $6.0952/MMBtu from $5.9060MMBtu. This, the IES believe will bring down the 29.96% tariff increase for all electricity consumer groups, thus introducing some relief to the already burdened citizens, in the face of the current economic crisis.
Should the PURC decide to maintain the 26.11% hydro-thermal and 73.89% thermal electricity generation mix for 2023 as the basis for the high tariff increment, that position would amount to promoting inefficiency and deliberately burdening the Ghanaian with high electricity cost.
Source: IES
British Gas has said it will stop switching people onto prepayment meters via their smart meters when they struggle to pay their bills.
It comes amid growing calls to stop the practice, which critics say puts vulnerable people at risk.
Citizens Advice said forcible switching should be banned, adding it had seen a big rise in clients needing crisis support such as emergency grants.
Ministers are also preparing to write to regulator Ofgem about the issue.
The boss of British Gas, Chris O’Shea, said his company would stop remote switching smart meters onto prepayment mode and add extra vulnerability checks.
Britain’s biggest energy company has also promised £10m of extra support for customers in need, which could include non-repayable credit of up to £250 for those struggling the most to top-up their meter.
“We know that some prepayment customers are self-disconnecting and not coming forward for help, so we have reviewed our policies to do more to target support at this group,” he said.
However, the energy supplier has not ruled out forcibly installing prepayment meters in people’s homes.
People using prepayment meters pay for their gas and electricity by topping up their meter, either through accounts or by adding credit to a card in a convenience store or post office.
This is a more expensive method of paying than by direct debit, but is sometimes the only option for people who have struggled to pay and are in debt to an energy supplier.
However, critics say it leaves vulnerable customers at risk of running out of credit and “self-disconnecting” when they cannot afford to top up.
Last year, an estimated 600,000 people have been switched to prepay, according to Citizens Advice, either by their supplier physically installing a meter in their home, or automatically having their smart meter switched to prepay mode.
In a letter to Ofgem, the Department for Businesses is expected to call for greater scrutiny of whether these switches are justified.
Energy suppliers point out that if customers are allowed to build up unaffordable debts, then this money would eventually be recouped from everyone’s energy bills.
Source: BBC
The Parliamentary Select Committee on Mines and Energy in Ghana’s Parliament is set to invite the Executive Secretary of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission for questioning on their decision to hike electricity and water tariffs.
According to the chairman of the committee, Samuel Atta Akyea, it has become necessary to invite the PURC for questioning as a result of concerns being raised by the public after 29.96 per cent and 8.3 per cent increments in electricity and water tariffs respectively.
“We, as a committee, think about the generality of the people of Ghana. If the PURC should roll out any programme or decision and there is no clarity, the people will not understand why in the circumstances we find ourselves in, we should have an upward review of utilities.
“They should appear before the Committee and explain that…is that all you can do? Are there no alternatives that you can do, having regard to the kind of economic circumstances we find ourselves in? And then when we interrogate the matter, we, representing our people, will be able to tell a good story.
“At the end of the day, the PURC will come out with a decision based on what they perceive as the best option now but until it is interrogated, we are not sure why they are doing what they are doing now. So, I believe that they appearing before the committee will help tremendously and then we will be able to understand what is going on,” Hon Atta Akyea said in an interview with TV3.
The PURC, on Monday, January 16, announced that electricity and water tariffs have been increased by 29.96 per cent and 8.3 per cent respectively.
The new tariffs take effect on February 1, 2023.
A statement issued by the Commission said “…The Commission, therefore, decided to increase the average end-user tariff for electricity by 29.96% across the board for all consumer groups. The average end-user tariff for water has also been increased by 8.3%.
“The combined effect of the Cedi/US Dollar exchange rate, inflation and WACOG is what the utility companies are significantly under-recovering and require an upward adjustment of their tariffs to keep the lights on and water flowing.”
It added, “The PURC is equally mindful of the current difficult economic circumstances but notes that the potential for outages would be catastrophic for Ghana and has to be avoided.
“The PURC, therefore, sought to balance prevention of extended power outages and its deleterious implications on jobs and livelihoods with minimizing the impact of rate increases on consumers.”
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Zambia’s state-owned power utility, Zesco Limited, has signed an agreement with the United Arab Emirates renewable energy company, Masdar, to develop solar projects worth US$2 billion.
The two companies will form a joint venture to facilitate investment in Zambia’s renewable energy.
This was disclosed in a statement by the President of Zambia Hakainde Hichilema on Tuesday.
The project would commence immediately, starting with the phased installation of 500 megawatts (MW).
“Once completed, the projects will result in an additional 2,000 megawatts of electricity in the country, within the next few years,” Hichilema said.
President Hichilema added: “The historical significance of this project is that, in the last 58 years of our independence, the country only developed 3,500 megawatts of electricity. This remarkable investment shall bring in the much-needed 2,000 megawatts within a shorter period.”
The President also highlighted the renewed confidence that investors have in the sound leadership of the country, resulting in more players expressing interest to participate in the country’s planned diversified energy mix, which will include solar, wind and hydropower.
Zambia has been rationing electricity supply following a big drop in water levels in Lake Kariba, threatening hydropower generation which contributes more than 75 per cent of the country’s power output.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Yola Electricity Distribution Company (YEDC), one of the discos in the Republic of Nigeria, continues to make investments in its operations to improve its network to ensure effective service delivery across its operational areas.
These investments cut across the company’s operations, from human capital development to network upgrades and technology.
Yola’s operations cover four Nigerian states namely Adamawa, Jalingo, Borno and Yobe.
As part of its network improvement, the company recently took delivery of power distribution transformers for Adamawa and Taraba regions to enable them to deliver quality supply to customers.
The company, in a statement, said Standard High Tensions (HT) and Low Tension (LT) poles, cables, aluminum conductors and cross arms have been procured and are being deployed across all four States of their operations.
“We appeal to our customers and other relevant stakeholders to partner with us by paying their accurate bills on time for better service delivery,” the company stated.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
A petroleum downstream Analyst, Benjamin Nsiah, has shared his opinion on the Gold for Oil Policy by the Akufo-Addo administration.
Media reports earlier this week revealed that the amount of 40,000 metric tons of fuel under the policy was received and delivered into the storage tanks of BOST.
This portal brings our readers to the observation by Mr Benjamin Nsiah on the policy.
Observations On Gold For Oil Deal
If Government imported 40,000Mt of only diesel which is equivalent of 47,337,200 litres, it will last only 6 days because Ghana consumes about 44,785Mt (53,000,000 litres) per week.
If government imported 40,000Mt of only petrol which is equivalent of 52,980,000 litres, it will last about 7 days because Ghana consumes about 36,995Mt (49,000,000 litres) per week.
If government imported 20,000 Mt of diesel and 20,000mt of petrol, both products will last only 4 days.
4.BOST products to BDCs is about only 10% of Petroleum products imported into the country. This is too inadequate to set lower prices of Petroleum products in Ghana
Now, BOST as an Oil Trader could decide to sell these products in dollars or cedis to BDCs. But in each scenario products will be sold using the commercial dollar rate quoted by the universal banks as their benchmark for price quotation.
6.Petroleum price indicators published by NPA indicates that, BDCs are expected to use US$780.33/mt to set price of petrol in this window so assuming US$40m was used to import only 40,000mt of petrol, Petrol from BOST in this window will cost US$1000 per metric which is US$219.67 more than the current indicative. If BOST sells it at current indicative price, then the company loses US$219.67 on each metric, totaling US$8,786,800 on the whole 40,000mt
7.Petroleum price indicators published by the NPA indicates that BDCs are expected to use US$894.18/Mt to set price of diesel in this window so assuming US$40million was used to import all the 40,000mt of diesel, the diesel from BOST will cost US$1000/Mt, which is US$105.82/Mt higher than this window’s indicative price. Assuming BOST sells their product at the current indicative price, BOST will lose US$105.82/Mt, totaling US$4,232,800 on all the 40,000Mt.
NOTE: BOST will have to reserve these products and sell at prices that will reflect profitability.
If BOST decides to sell to BDCs at current indicative prices published by the NPA which is likely to lead to losses, BDCs will still use a forward FOREX rate which is higher than prevailing Universal Bank forex rate, reflective of anticipated risks factors.
10.Lastly, I can only tell you to manage your expectations
Prepared by
Benjamin Nsiah
Petroleum Downstream Analyst
The Managing Editor for energynewsafrica.com, Michael Creg Afful, has commended the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) headed by Dr Mustapha Abdul-Hamid for sanctioning Petro XP for engaging in illegal trading.
NPA fined Petro XP Gh¢340,000 comprising Gh¢10,000 for engaging in third-party supplies for the first time and Gh¢330,000 for the unlawful lifting of petroleum products.
The NPA said if Petro XP failed to comply, it would attract an additional one (1) month’s suspension of its operations.
Commenting, Mr Creg Afful described the action by NPA as highly commendable and urged the NPA boss to continue to sanitise the industry to ensure that only those who can play by the rules operate.
It would be recalled that in June 2022, Mr Creg Afful petitioned the Special Prosecutor to investigate the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) for selling 260,000 litres of slop oil to Petro XP Ghana Limited and K-Moy Ghana Limited which was not licensed to engage in the downstream petroleum business.
Sections 11(1) and (2) of the NPA Act, Act 691 stipulates that: A person shall not engage in a business or commercial activity in the downstream industry unless that person has been granted a licence for that purpose by the Board. The business or commercial activities of the downstream industry in respect of crude oil, gasoline, diesel, liquefied petroleum gas, kerosene and other designated petroleum products are (a) Importation, (b) Exportation, (c) Re-exportation, (d) Shipment, (e) Transportation, (f) Processing (g) Refining, (h) Storage, (i) Distribution, (j) Marketing, and (k) Sale.
Documents which were available to energynewsafrica.com showed that on 4th May 2022, TOR sold a total of 260 metric tonnes (260,000) of slop oil in their storage tank to K-Moy Ghana Limited and Petro XP Ghana Limited on a cash and carry basis.
Each received 130 metric tonnes of slop oil.
The case is still before the special prosecutor.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
More than one hundred applications have been received for the UK’s 33rd offshore oil and gas licensing round, according to the North Sea Transition Authority (NTSA) on Jan. 17.
The round, which closed last week, attracted a total of 115 bids across 258 blocks and part-blocks, from a total of 76 companies.
The process, which will provide a significant boost to the UK’s energy security, opened on 7th October, 2022 and offered acreage across the North Sea.
It included four priority areas, which have known hydrocarbons (oil and gas), in which there was very keen interest and could see production in as little as 18 months.
The bids will now be carefully studied, with a view to awarding licenses quickly and supporting licensees to go into production as soon as appropriate. There are several necessary consents after licensing and before production to ensure these developments are also in line with net zero.
An internal analysis by the NSTA shows that the average time between the dates of recent discoveries and first production has been close to five years. It is hoped that, since they consist of existing discoveries, the priority cluster areas can go into production in an even shorter time.
Dr. Nick Richardson, NSTA Head of Exploration and New Ventures, said, “We have seen a strong response from the industry to the Round, which has exceeded application levels compared to previous rounds. We will now be working hard to analyze the applications with a view to awarding the first licenses from the second quarter of 2023.”
Supporting The UK’s Energy Security
The round is a key part of the NSTA’s drive to support UK energy security, which also includes licensing the Rough gas storage facility, and encouraging operators to look at reopening closed wells.
Oil and gas currently contribute around three-quarters of domestic energy needs. Official forecasts show that, even as demand decreases, they will continue to play a role.
As we transition, maintaining a clean domestic supply to meet that demand can support energy security, jobs, and the UK’s world-class supply chain.
Energy and Climate Minister Graham Stuart said, “Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine has led to volatile global energy markets. It’s fantastic to see such interest from industry in this round, with the awarded licenses set to play an important role in boosting domestic energy production and securing the UK’s long-term energy security of supply.”
Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions
The drive to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 supports the drive for energy security. New developments tend to have lower emissions than older fields, which can contribute to reducing average production emissions. Consuming gas from the North Sea also reduces the need to consume LNG from elsewhere which has around double the carbon footprint.
Production emissions have decreased by more than a fifth between 2018 and 2021. Projections indicate the sector is on track to meet reduction targets of 10% by 2025 and 25% by 2027 – agreed in the North Sea Transition Deal in 2021.
Since February last year, NSTA interventions have prevented the lifetime emission of 1.4 million tonnes of CO2e, equivalent to taking more than 500,000 cars off the road for a year.
Source: Worldoil.com
Ghana’s petroleum downstream regulator, National Petroleum Authority (NPA), has sanctioned four Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) for engaging in illicit third-party trading and unlawful lifting of petroleum products.
The companies are Finest Oil, Petrol XP, Glasark Oil and Lilygold Resources Limited.
Per the sanction, Finest Oil will pay a fine of GHS160,000.00 comprising GHS10,000.00 for engaging in third-party supplies for the first time and GHS150,000.00 for the unlawful lifting of petroleum products.
Failure by the company to comply would attract an additional month’s suspension of its operations.
In the case of Petro XP, it would pay a fine of GHS340,000.00 comprising GHS10,000.00 for engaging in third-party supplies for the first time and GHS330,000.00 for the unlawful lifting of petroleum products. If Petro XP fails to comply, it would attract an additional month’s suspension of its operations.
Glasark Oil has been fined GHS95,000.00 comprising GHS10,000.00 for engaging in third-party supplies for the first time and GHS85,000.00 for the unlawful lifting of petroleum products.
Failure by the company to comply will attract an additional one (1) month’s suspension of its operations.
For Lilygold Resources Limited, it would pay a fine not exceeding five (5) times the licence/permit fee for breaking the Authority’s seals, and failure to pay would result in the suspension of its operating licence in addition to paying the penalties.
The NPA cautioned that any company that failed to comply with the rules and guidelines stipulated by the Authority would be subjected to further sanctions.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana has announced plans to commence well drilling in the Voltaian Basin between the fourth quarter of this year and the first quarter of 2024.
The West African nation, through the national oil company, GNPC, is undertaking further studies on a 2D seismic data survey acquired on the unexplored Voltaian Basin in 2021.
A Chinese Joint Venture firm, BGPBAY, was awarded a contract in December 2021 and is currently undertaking studies to enable GNPC to evaluate the hydrocarbon potential of the area.
Speaking at the Ghana Oil and Gas Roadshow in London, UK, last Thursday, the Acting Chief Executive Officer of GNPC, Mr. Opoku Danquah-Ahweneeh said GNPC is continuously evaluating opportunities to leverage its technical competence and financial strength in unlocking the much-needed hydrocarbon potential of the sedimentary basins.
He, therefore, encouraged “…all to strongly consider the opportunities available at this Roadshow, and I assure you that in GNPC, you have a dependable technical and commercial partner working together to execute work programs leading to much-needed oil and gas discoveries.”
The Roadshow saw presentations on an overview of Ghana’s upstream industry as well as Ghana’s Fiscal and Regulatory Regime and Energy Transition Strategy.
There were technical presentations on Farm-in operations and available blocks during Q&A sessions.
In attendance were the Energy Minister, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh; Ghana’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, Papa Owusu Ankomah as well as experts from the oil and gas industry.
The GNPC’s strategic objective within the energy transition climate, Mr Danquah noted, “is to accelerate responsible exploitation of Ghana’s oil and gas resources to meet growing energy demand as we continue to embrace and develop green energy projects.”
He revealed the growth strategy led to the establishment of GNPC Explore, a registered subsidiary, with participating Interest in six Exploration and Appraisal licences in offshore basins.
“Our strategic entry into these licences is underpinned by our knowledge-based conviction of hydrocarbon prospectivity and commercial assessment of financial exposure and risk.
“As a paying partner, Explorco forms part of the contractor party and contributes experience and lessons learnt from other exploratory licences to enhance exploration success and reduce project delivery timelines.
“In 2021, GNPC, through our subsidiary, acquired Commercial Interest in Jubilee and TEN fields to increase our participation and revenue from both fields,” he stated.
Meanwhile, GNPC is decommissioning Saltpond Oil Fields in the Central Region.
The decommissioning exercise, which started last year, is being undertaken by a wholly Ghanaian-owned company, Hans and Co. Oil and Gas Company, through a consortium of experts gathered from around the world.
They are to ensure all necessary procedural, technical and social controls and mitigation measures are rightly executed to reduce environmental impact to the barest minimum.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) in the Republic of Ghana have adjusted their pump prices upward after they reviewed prices downward in the first pricing window of January 2023.
The upward adjustment of fuel prices is due to the appreciation of the dollar against the local Ghanaian currency Cedi and rising crude oil prices on the international market.
As of Tuesday afternoon, most of the OMCs had adjusted their pump prices with Pacific Oil selling petrol at Gh¢13.98 per litre while diesel is sold at Gh¢14.44.
Leading Oil Marketing Companies, GOIL, TotalEnergies and Shell, are selling petrol at Gh¢13.60 per litre while diesel is sold at Gh¢15.52 per litre.
TotalEnergies, another major player, is selling petrol at Gh¢13.90 per litre while diesel is sold at Gh¢15.60 per litre.
Petrosol is selling petrol at Gh¢13.58 per litre while diesel is being sold at Gh¢15.51 per litre.
Engen is selling diesel at Gh¢13.60 per litre while petrol is sold at Gh¢15.50 per litre.
Star Oil is selling petrol at Gh¢13.19per litre while diesel is sold at Gh¢15.29 per litre.
Zen Petroleum is selling petrol at Gh13.49 per litre while diesel is sold at Gh15.30.
Alinco Oil is selling petrol at Gh¢13.50 while diesel is being sold at Gh¢14.95
Duke’s Petroleum is selling petrol at Gh¢13.59 per litre while diesel is sold at Gh¢14.95per litre.
Cash Oil is selling petrol at Gh13.50 per litre while diesel is sold at Gh¢15.29 per litre.
Allied is selling petrol at Gh¢13.60 per litre while diesel is sold at Gh¢15.10 per litre.
Puma Energy is selling petrol at Gh¢12.39 per litre while diesel is sold at Gh¢14.99 per litre.
Lucky Oil is selling petrol at Gh¢13.38 per litre while diesel is sold at Gh¢14.20 per litre.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana’s power transmission company, GRIDCo, has honoured Mr John Agyekum Kufuor, Ghana’s former President, with a plaque, for his role in the creation of GRIDCo 15 years ago.
GRIDCo Board Chairman, Ambassador Kabral Blay-Amihere, led the company’s Board and Management to honour the former President on his 84th birthday.
The gesture was to acknowledge his instrumentality in setting up GRIDCo.
GRIDCo was set up, following former President Kufuor’s decision to implement long-standing energy sector reforms from the late 90s to unbundle Ghana’s Energy sector to make it more efficient and attract investment.
The citation on the plaque reads: “During your Presidency, you drove the implementation of critical reforms required in our country’s Energy Sector, culminating in the unbundling of the power sector (i.e. generation, transmission and distribution) in 2006. The diversification of the power sector has inspired efficiency, elimination of barriers to power supply delivery and securing investment in power infrastructure.
“By your vision and actions, the Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo) was established in December 2006. GRIDCo’s role as the “Operator” of the National Interconnected Transmission System commenced in August 2008. The creation of GRIDCo has enabled a reliable grid for development and improved the accessibility to electricity within Ghana and the West Africa sub-region.
“GRIDCo, whilst wishing you a Happy Birthday, seizes this occasion to express our most sincere appreciation and recognition for your significant contribution to the creation of a revered utility within the West African sub-region and Africa.”
Chief Executive of GRIDCo Ing Ebenezer Essienyi provided the former President with an overview of GRIDCo’s performance and progress over the decade and a half, reiterating the commitment by the Board, Management and staff to ensure GRIDCo meets its mandate in the national interest.
Ing. Ebenezer Kofi Essienyi,CEO of GRIDCo addressing former President John Agyekum Kufuor
Former President Kufuor thanked the GRIDCo delegation, saying: “I am happy that the decision my government took has been a good one because the government’s concern was to take steps to find solutions for the country’s energy issues.”
He recalled how the lack of synchronisation of the power systems in West Africa meant that power in Nigeria – with President Obasanjo, then in power—was ready to transmit.
Power could not be supplied to Ghana then because the grids were not interconnected.
That, he said was the genesis of a sub-regional effort to connect West Africa’s power grids.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
China’s Vice Premier Liu He told the World Economic Forum that life has returned to normal in the Asian nation, with Covid infections now past their peak.
Liu He told the WEF at Davos on Tuesday that China will return to its pre-pandemic growth trend this year, Bloomberg reported. In its latest MOMR, also published on Tuesday, OPEC said it sees China’s economic growth forecasts unchanged from last month’s views, at 3.1% for last year and 4.8% for 2023. The oil exporter’s group adjusted world oil demand downward in the third quarter last year, with China’s demand slipping. OPEC sees global oil demand growth unchanged this year, according to Tuesday’s MOMR, at 2.2 million bpd, although OPEC cautioned that “this forecast remains surrounded by uncertainties including global economic developments, shifts in Covid-19 containment policies, and geopolitical tensions.
According to OPEC, China’s crude oil imports continued on the path of recovery in November at 11.4 million bpd, with preliminary data showing its imports remained at “similarly high levels.”
China released its fourth-quarter economic data earlier in the day, which showed China’s economy—the world’s second biggest—grew 2.9%. While this beat analyst expectations, China’s full-year 2022 economic growth of 3% came in significantly below China’s official target of 5.5% due to its zero-Covid policies, which are now behind it.
The oil industry is closely monitoring China’s economic data to get a handle on global crude oil demand growth, with OPEC’s decisions
Analysts are revamping their estimates for China’s economic data—and its thirst for oil—based on their recent Covid policy shift that has backed away from its tightly implemented zero-Covid strategy.
Source: Oilprice.com
The newly appointed Chairman of the ECOWAS Regional Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERERA), Ing Kocou Laurent R. TOSSOU, has led a team to pay a courtesy call on the Executive Secretary of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), Dr. Ishmael Ackah, and Management of the Commission.
According to a story posted on the PURC website, the ERERA Chairman was accompanied by Dr. Haliru Dikko, ERERA Council Member; Uwem Thompson, Communication Officer; Musah Imam, ICT Officer, and Ofosuhene Apenteng-Taryiro, Head of Administration and Finance.
The visit by the Chairman of ERERA and his team was to acquaint himself with the activities of the Commission and also to inform the Commission of current activities undertaken by ERERA, prospects and to strengthen the already existing relationship between the PURC and ERERA.
The main objective was how to build mutual relationships in the electricity sector.
According to Ing Kocou, ERERA has followed and monitored the activities of the Commission in the past years and is convinced of the Commission’s independence in the performance of its functions.
He applauded PURC for signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) to set up a Regulatory Centre of Excellence, which would help in building capacities of electricity, natural gas and water regulatory agencies as well as utility service providers in West Africa.
In his opening remarks, the Executive Secretary of PURC, Dr Ishmael Ackah, on behalf of the PURC, expressed appreciation to Ing Kocou and his team for the visit.
He indicated that the Commission, as a multi-sectoral independent regulatory agency, has been operating in Ghana for the past 25 years.
He noted that the Commission has offices in the ten traditional regions of Ghana with established Consumer Service Committees in bigger regions.
He also noted that the Commission is present on most social media platforms including Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and WhatsApp platforms for assembly members, opinion leaders etc.
Dr. Ackah further explained that the Commission has instituted the Ghana Utility Performance Index (GUPI) to benchmark and monitor the performance of regulated utilities across regions in Ghana and to encourage peer learning from each other.
He intimated that the Center of Excellence is expected to be inaugurated by the close of February 2023.
To further deepen transparency and accountability and ensure the quality of service delivery by utility service providers to consumers, the Commission has initiated the Consumer Service Clinics to serve as a one-stop shop to bring consumers and utility service providers together at specific times to enable the utilities to receive and resolve complaints of consumers.
Dr. Ackah outlined the theme for 2023 as ‘Year of Operational Efficiency’.
This would be done by enforcing compliance through monitoring and regulatory audits; educating stakeholders on their rights and responsibilities; building relationships with key sector stakeholders to enhance efficiency within the electricity, water and natural gas sectors; and enhancing data management for efficiency in the operations of the Commission and the regulated Utilities.
PURC staff present were the Director, Water Services and Performance Monitoring, Ing Emmanuel Fiati; Director, Legal Services, Mrs. Nancy Atiemo; Director, Regional Operations, Alhaji Jabaru Abukari; Director, Energy Services and Performance Monitoring, Ing Fred Amui Oblitey; Director, Research and Corporate Affairs, Dr Eric Obutey; Head of Corporate Affairs, Mr Robert Aziz Tia.
The rest were Deputy Head, Media Relations, Events and Protocol, Mrs Deborah Bonney; Deputy Head, Digitalization, Mr Prince Nana Yaw Kessie; Senior Research Officer, Mr Stephen Ekow Bryan; and Head, Executive Secretary’s Secretariat, Ms Maame Esi Eshun.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The company, in a statement, said Standard High Tensions (HT) and Low Tension (LT) poles, cables, aluminum conductors and cross arms have been procured and are being deployed across all four States of their operations.
“We appeal to our customers and other relevant stakeholders to partner with us by paying their accurate bills on time for better service delivery,” the company stated.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com 
The gesture was to acknowledge his instrumentality in setting up GRIDCo.
GRIDCo was set up, following former President Kufuor’s decision to implement long-standing energy sector reforms from the late 90s to unbundle Ghana’s Energy sector to make it more efficient and attract investment.
The citation on the plaque reads: “During your Presidency, you drove the implementation of critical reforms required in our country’s Energy Sector, culminating in the unbundling of the power sector (i.e. generation, transmission and distribution) in 2006. The diversification of the power sector has inspired efficiency, elimination of barriers to power supply delivery and securing investment in power infrastructure.
“By your vision and actions, the Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo) was established in December 2006. GRIDCo’s role as the “Operator” of the National Interconnected Transmission System commenced in August 2008. The creation of GRIDCo has enabled a reliable grid for development and improved the accessibility to electricity within Ghana and the West Africa sub-region.
“GRIDCo, whilst wishing you a Happy Birthday, seizes this occasion to express our most sincere appreciation and recognition for your significant contribution to the creation of a revered utility within the West African sub-region and Africa.”
Chief Executive of GRIDCo Ing Ebenezer Essienyi provided the former President with an overview of GRIDCo’s performance and progress over the decade and a half, reiterating the commitment by the Board, Management and staff to ensure GRIDCo meets its mandate in the national interest.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com 