The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has experienced a staggering revenue loss of GH¢893,158,654 between July and August 2024 due to its ongoing prepayment metering system upgrade.
The shortfall, which has triggered significant concern, is attributed to customer non-payment, outstanding debts, and the replacement of outdated meters.
William Boateng, ECG’s Director of Communications, explained that the company is undertaking this mandatory replacement process, sanctioned by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), to phase out obsolete meters, including models such as the BXC, PNX, Ecash 1-4, Nuri, and BOT.
Boateng stressed that the meters being replaced were no longer functioning accurately, causing billing issues and contributing to the revenue deficit.
He assured that once the replacement process is completed, ECG expects to see a stabilization in revenue as the new meters will provide accurate readings and improved billing efficiency.
In the meantime, Boateng urged customers to be patient, as those with remaining credit on their old meters will receive refunds through remote transfers or manually loaded tokens.
The Director also noted that faulty meters have led to some customers not purchasing power, although the company’s system can still bill based on historical consumption.
The upgrade, while essential for long-term operational efficiency, has prompted calls for urgent solutions to address the immediate financial impact on ECG and its customers.
