The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has initiated an audit of the new prepaid meters installed by the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and the Northern Electricity Distribution Company Limited (NEDCo) across the country. The audit aims to verify that the new meters conform to the PURC’s tariff reckoner and ensure accurate billing and tariff application.
In recent months, Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and Northern Electricity Distribution Company Limited (NEDCo) have embarked on a nationwide project to install smart meters across the country. This initiative is part of an effort to reduce energy losses, improve efficiency, and offer real-time data on electricity consumption for better revenue management and accountability.
The audit comes in response to numerous consumer complaints regarding overbilling following the replacement of existing meters with new prepaid systems. Customers have reported discrepancies in billing, raising concerns about the functionality and accuracy of the new meters.
The exercise will assess whether the new prepaid meters accurately align with PURC’s tariff reckoner, ensuring that customers are charged according to the approved rates and standards.
The audit will also help identify any potential discrepancies or malfunctions in the meters that could lead to incorrect billing, providing critical insights to address consumer concerns effectively.
Dr. Ishmael Ackah, Executive Secretary of the PURC, emphasized that the commission is engaging with ECG and NEDCo to resolve the issues. By working collaboratively with these utility companies, the PURC aims to restore public trust and enhance the accuracy of electricity billing systems.
“I will urge consumers to be cautious when their metres are being replaced. Firstly, we want customers to inspect the identification cards of the officers replacing their meters and be sure they are from the utilities.
“They must take the final recording of the old meter before they are replaced and signed. Most often the customers complain that they had a certain amount of money on their meter but after replacement the meter became empty,” he said.
The commission has also enhanced education on its electricity consumption estimator so that consumers can better understand their energy consumption, manage it and make informed decisions to reduce their bills, the executive secretary said.
The findings of this audit will play a crucial role in improving billing accuracy and ensuring that utility companies adhere to approved tariffs and customer service standards.
