Finance

GRIDCo drags ECG before Energy Minister over load-shedding timetable

The Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo) has filed a report against the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to the Minister of Energy, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, over the former’s refusal to provide a load-shedding timetable amidst the intermittent power outages, otherwise, known as ‘dumsor’.

In a letter dated Thursday, March 28, 2024, GRIDCo stated categorically that the ECG’s disregard for load management instructions was a clear violation of its regulations and posed a significant threat to the stability of the power grid.

It further noted that the release of the load-shedding timetable can prevent avoidable power outages for customers and system collapse.

“We note with grave concern the repeated instances where Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) Operations personnel fail to follow load management instructions issued by the SCC. This non-compliance poses a significant threat to the stability of the power grid, potentially leading to avoidable power outages for customers and system collapse,” GRIDCo stated in the letter to the Minister of Energy.

“The SCC routinely communicates load management directives to ECG Operations. However, these instructions are often either not effected or inadequately implemented. This results in a decline in system frequency, triggering the operation of the Automatic Frequency Load Shedding (AFLS) relays, SCC having to disconnect feeders serving bulk customers to correct the decaying frequency,” the letter read in parts.

It further said, “When these emergency disconnections occur, ECG publishes customer notices attributing the loss of power supply to GRIDCo, which is not an accurate description of the current situation. Furthermore, ECG’s disregard for load management instructions is a clear violation of the regulations.”

GRIDCo, therefore, urged Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh to ensure that ECG complies with the issuance of a load-shedding timetable.

It would be recalled that the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission directed the Electricity Company of Ghana to furnish it with a load management timetable by April 2, 2024.

Amidst escalating concerns over the persistent power cuts across the country, some Ghanaians called on the power distribution company to release a load-shedding timetable. However, it came to no avail.

ECG’s management maintained that the power outages stem from technical difficulties and that no formal load-shedding schedule will be implemented.

 

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

Ogyem Solomon

Solomon Ogyem – Media Entrepreneur | Journalist | Brand Ambassador Solomon Ogyem is a dynamic Ghanaian journalist and media entrepreneur currently based in South Africa. With a solid foundation in journalism, Solomon is a graduate of the OTEC School of Journalism and Communication Studies in Ghana and Oxbridge Academy in South Africa. He began his career as a reporter at OTEC 102.9 MHz in Kumasi, where he honed his skills in news reporting, community storytelling, and radio broadcasting. His passion for storytelling and dedication to the media industry led him to establish Press MltiMedia Company in South Africa—a growing platform committed to authentic African narratives and multimedia journalism. Solomon is the founder and owner of Thepressradio.com, a news portal focused on delivering credible, timely, and engaging stories across Ghana and Africa. He also owns Press Global Tickets, a service-driven venture in the travel and logistics space, providing reliable ticketing services. He previously owned two notable websites—Ghanaweb.mobi and ShowbizAfrica.net—both of which contributed to entertainment and socio-political discussions within Ghana’s digital space. With a diverse background in media, digital journalism, and business, Solomon Ogyem is dedicated to telling impactful African stories, empowering youth through media, and building cross-continental media partnerships.

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