PURC gives ECG Tuesday ultimatum to produce timetable

The Public Utilities and Regulatory Commission (PURC) says the Electricity Company of Ghana must produce a schedule for its latest power rationing to be rolled out in the coming days.

Public Affairs and External Relations Director at the PURC, Nana Yaa Jantuah, said if the power distributor fails to do this, it will face sanctions from the highest decision-making body of the regulator.

ECG failed to produce a timetable for the current power outtages after 300 megawatts were knocked off its distribution mix last week following the shutdown of two plants for what it claims were part of maintenance and repair works.

ECG Public Relations Manager William Boateng told Joy News' Elton John Brobbey last week the supplier is unable to publish a timetable to manage the current load shedding due to fluctuations in supply from the power producers.

But with the load shedding expected to intensify, the regulator says ECG has no option but to produce a schedule to notify consumers days they would have to sleep or work in darkness to enable them plan.

Power generator, the Volta River Authority wes forced to shut down another thermal power plant Thursday, after two plants were shut down last week following interruptions in gas supply from Nigeria and a host of other factors.

As a result, ECG is forced to shed an unprecedented 500 megawatts of electricity, further deepening an already unbearable power crisis in the country.