KILLER ECG BILLS: PURC orders ECG over vanishing credits

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Makay
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Prepaid meters

The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has ordered the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to an emergency meeting over public complaints about fast-draining prepaid units.

According to the PURC, they have not received public complaints that prepaid units were running out faster than expected after the implementation of the revised tariffs.

In a letter dated February 25, 2026, the PURC stated, “Given the regulatory, technical and consumer protection implications, and the potential impact on public confidence in the metering and vending systems, the Commission is convening an emergency meeting”.

The letter detailed that the meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 26, 2026, at 12:00 noon at the PURC GNAT Office in Accra.

The Commission stressed that the agenda will include a “comprehensive technical briefing on the implementation of the revised tariff within the prepaid vending and metering architecture”.

During the emergency meeting, the ECG is expected to present reports on vending data trends, meter update protocols, the scale and nature of consumer complaints, and current resolution measures.

Also, the Commission has demanded a briefing on “immediate technical and communication interventions, where required, to safeguard consumer confidence and regulatory compliance.”

Reports suggest the PURC Executive Secretary, Dr Shafic Suleman, directed ECG’s Managing Director and senior technical, commercial, ICT, and customer service officials to attend the emergency meeting on Thursday, February 26, to explain the issue.

In related news, the Energy Minister, John Jinapor, has ordered the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to probe rapid prepaid credit depletion complaints.

The announcement was made known by Richmond Rockson, the Spokesperson for the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, who was responding to a social media post on X.

According to Richmond Rockson, the Energy Minister has taken note of the rapid prepaid credit depletion complaints and has directed the ECG to provide a report within 7 days.

In his statement posted on X, Richmond Rockson wrote, “The Minister of Energy and Green Transition Hon. Dr John Abdulai Jinapor has taken notice of these complaints and has directed ECG to investigate and provide a report to him within 7 days for further action”.

The directive follows a surge in public outcry from consumers across the country who have taken to social media to lament the current pace at which prepaid electricity credits are running.

Meanwhile, Dr Shaffic Suleman, the Executive Secretary of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), has said Ghana is consuming more power beyond official projections.

According to the PURC boss, Ghana’s electricity consumption growth has overtaken the expected annual targets.

Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express on Wednesday, February 26, 2026, the PURC boss stated, “We are now consuming more power beyond what has been projected. We are looking at an annual projection of 8% per annum, but I can assure you that we are moving. We are moving far faster than that.”

“And it’s because of the stability and availability of power, and then the suppressed demand is now being curtailed, so more consumers are coming on board generally, thanks to the stability of the economy. So we have to be fast with additional capacity.”

The PURC boss further added, “President Mahama and the Minister of Energy, John Jinapor, are working towards adding additional capacity and ensuring that we have enough.”

“Peak load is also experiencing targets or points that we are not familiar with, and obviously, the economy is growing, so we need power.”

“Power is available, so all we need to do now is to think of how best or how fast we can get additional capacity to come in and supplement, especially going towards 2027 to 29.”

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