Load-shedding to improve in July - PURC

The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has assured Ghanaians that the severe energy crises the country is presently faced with will improve by July this year.

Ing. Samuel Sarpong, Executive Secretary of the Commission said, "The medium and long-term measures and plans to solve the current energy crises are very assuring and we at the PURC are very positive Ghana will soon overcome the challenges."

Speaking at its maiden media encounter with journalists in the Volta Region, Ing. Samuel Sarpong explained that the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) are able to distribute the only available power the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) transmits to them.

He told the media that the load-shedding has become a necessary evil in order not to plunge the entire country into total darkness.

Ing. Samuel Sarpong said PURC was interested in knowing the current energy situation in the country because of its regulatory responsibility and as the determiner of tariffs to be paid by the public.

He said, "We all need the grid power to promote economic development, and it's more affordable."

Ing. Sarpong advised consumers to conserve energy while a long-term measure is put in place to migrate the country from the present period of load management.

In determining new tariff for consumers, he explained that the PURC takes into consideration reasonable and prudent forecasts, as well as independent investigations before announcing increments.

The PURC later met with Small- and Medium-Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in the region to interact with them on the present power supply situation in the country.

The participants were educated on the need for energy conservation and the need to opt for solar energy for their businesses.