PURC convenes emergency stakeholder meeting over recent electricity challenges

The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has called an emergency meeting with GRIDCo, ECG and NEDCo to address ongoing power supply issues and unplanned outages affecting parts of the country.

The meeting, held in Accra on 23rd May, 2025, followed PURC’s monitoring and consumer complaints. It sought to identify the root causes of the recent power disruptions, evaluate the operational challenges facing utility providers, and ensure coordinated measures are implemented to restore and stabilise electricity supply.

“The Commission is seriously concerned about the frequent power outages being experienced in some regions. This meeting is a crucial step in ensuring that the causes are identified and urgent corrective actions are taken by all parties involved,” PURC’s Executive Secretary, Dr. Shafic Suleman, said.

He reiterated the Commission’s mandate to protect consumer interests and uphold utility service standards.

During the engagement, GRIDCo, ECG and NEDCo provided detailed briefings on the technical and operational difficulties contributing to the supply instability, including long and widespread feeders, inadequate bulk supply points (BSPs), tampering of the electricity network, overload on system components, overgrown vegetation and effects of weather.

Following the briefings, the Commission directed the utilities to submit comprehensive reports on the current challenges, immediate mitigation measures and long-term plans to prevent recurrence.

The regulator also emphasised the need for improved communication with the public during such disruptions to enhance transparency and public confidence.

Going forward, the Commission said it would enforce strict compliance with performance standards to safeguard the reliability of electricity supply across the country. It also encouraged consumers to report any challenges affecting utility service delivery in their communities.

“The Commission is committed to protecting the interests of consumers and utility service providers, and will continue to monitor the current power situation to ensure quality of service delivery,” the Executive Secretary concluded.

Since assuming office in January 2025, President John Dramani Mahama has acknowledged the severity of the country’s energy challenges and stressed the need for sustainable solutions to prevent prolonged power outages.

His government has committed to addressing inefficiencies within ECG and improving revenue collection, including inviting private sector participation in electricity billing.

He has also initiated steps to reduce the government debt of US$2.5billion owed to independent power producers and gas suppliers by the end of the year.

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