Tariff increases lead to 300mw energy conservation - PURC

The daily electric power used by consumers across the country has reduced by a total of 300 megawatts since the introduction of the new utility tariffs, the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has said.

Nana Yaa Juantuah who is in charge of Public Affairs at the PURC speaking on the issue on Accra based radio station - Peace FM - on Thursday interpreted the reduction in power usage as an improvement in energy conservation by consumers.

In what has become known in the Twi vernacular as 'mƐnsƆ' and 'woara bƐ dum', to wit consumers would voluntarily switch off, many electric power consumers since the introduction of the new tariffs have complained that bills of post-paid customers have sky-rocketed.

Those on prepaid have also complained that their credits have been running out too fast. As a result, many have resorted to conserving energy by turning off their appliances.

What pertains now is that even though the country is no longer experiencing load shedding, otherwise known as 'dumsor', and now has constant power supply, the high tariffs are compelling consumers to voluntarily switch off their appliances. They have sarcastically coined the words ''mƐnsƆ' and 'woara bƐ dum'.

Speaking on the morning show programme of Peace FM, hosted by Kwami Sefa Kayi, Nana Juantuah said the tariffs have brought about an improved power production and distribution.

She disagreed with suggestions from consumers that the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) had been 'cheating' and 'stealing' from consumers.

Rather she advised consumers to reduce their consumption so as to prevent paying more.

For instance she said there were about 700,000 households on the lifeline whose consumption were below 50kwh and thus pay GhȻ17 monthly.

The Public Relations Manager of the ECG, Mr William Boateng who was also on the show to explain how the tariffs are calculated, emphasised that the ECG was not stealing from consumers.