Power Systems Economist and Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber of Independent Power Producers (IPPs), Dr. Elikplim Kwabla Apetorgbor has called for urgent reforms to address inefficiencies that threaten the country’s energy security and economic growth.
According to him, the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) faces mounting pressure to modernise its operations, with system losses currently pegged at 20%.
In an article on the state of ECG’s infrastructure, Dr. Apetorgbor noted that more than 30% of the company’s assets have been in use for over three decades, contributing significantly to operational losses and frequent outages.
He proposed a phased approach to infrastructure upgrades, including replacing aging transformers, substations and power lines with modern, energy-efficient technology.
To combat power theft and improve monitoring, Dr. Apetorgbor advocated for the use of advanced technologies such as drones equipped with GPS and thermal imaging to identify illegal connections and detect faults in real time.
He highlighted international examples like the Philippines’ Meralco Company, which reduced system losses from 9.8% to under 5% through strategic investments in smart substations and other technologies.
In addition to technical upgrades, Dr. Apetorgbor recommended structural reforms within ECG.
He stressed the need for the company to operate as a profit-driven entity, free from political interference.
Decentralizing operations, enhancing corporate governance, and implementing performance-based contracts were among his key proposals.
Drawing comparisons with Kenya Power, which successfully restructured to improve accountability and efficiency, he emphasised that similar reforms could help ECG meet its mandate effectively.
While acknowledging that these measures require significant capital investment, Dr. Apetorgbor argued that the long-term gains—such as reducing system losses to 5%, saving millions of cedis annually, and delivering reliable power to consumers—far outweigh the costs.
“ECG’s challenges are not insurmountable. By prioritising investments in infrastructure renewal and adopting cutting-edge monitoring technologies, ECG can drastically reduce technical losses and improve operational efficiency. However, the success of these initiatives hinges on ECG’s ability to operate independently as a business-oriented entity. Drawing lessons from international successes, ECG has the potential to transform into a sustainable, efficient power distribution company, driving Ghana’s energy sector toward a brighter future.”, he wrote.