Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia on Friday commissioned the Free Wi-fi service for 13 public tertiary education institutions in the country, to enhance teaching, learning and research.

The project, executed at a cost of over US$11 million, was facilitated and implemented by the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) leveraging on 650 kilometres of its Fibre Optic Network, in collaboration with the National Information Technology Agency (NITA), Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo) and Northern Electricity Distribution Company Limited (NEDCo).

The Free Wi-fi pilot project would also connect internet to the ECG’s district and sub-stations along the Optic Fibre Network.

The beneficiary tertiary institutions include; the University of Ghana, University of Professional Studies, University of Cape Coast, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, and Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ).

Others are the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration, University of Education, Winneba, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, University of Mines and Technology, Tarkwa, Regional Maritime University, Ghana Institute of Languages, National Film and Television Institute, and Ghana Technology University College.

Also, frantic arrangements were underway to connect the campuses of the University of Energy and Natural Resources, Sunyani, and University of Development Studies, Tamale, in the northern sector of the country, and the Public Technical Universities and Nursing Colleges to Free Wi-Fi service.

Commissioning the Free Wi-Fi project at the new North Dzorwulu Campus of GIJ in Accra, Vice President Bawumia lauded the management and staff of ECG and partner institutions for making the Government’s vision of connecting free internet service to the public universities a reality.

He said piloting the project at the 13 public tertiary institutions would help the implementing agencies and government, to identify any unforeseen challenges, ahead of rolling out Free Wi-Fi service in 722 public Senior High Schools (SHSs) and 46 Colleges of Education across the country.

Dr. Bawumia announced that 80 percent of work on connecting the SHSs to the free internet service was completed.

He was of the belief that the project was a game-changer in the academic community, which would enable students and lecturers alike, to teach and learn in a conducive environment in developing the country’s human resource base.

The Vice President noted that the “Can Do Spirit” exhibited by the ECG had rekindled public confidence in the leadership of ECG and would go a long way to accelerate the socio-economic development of the country.

“In April 2019, I recalled making a request to the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and asking if the ECG can leverage on its fibre optic infrastructure to support Government’s digitisation agenda.

“When I made this request to ECG, ECG said they will get back to me and with support of the Minister of Energy John-Peter Amewu, the ECG’s Board and Management, I must pay homage to them… I’m so proud of them.

“They think outside the box and so they took up the challenge and they came back and said,”We think we can do it,” Dr Bawumia stated.

“That “Can Do Spirit” is really great and they made this project a reality… There is a new confidence and hope in the leadership of ECG, and we’re looking forward for more opportunities ahead,” Dr Bawumia added.

The Vice President expressed the government’s commitment to developing the human resource base of the country by leveraging on digital technology so that “we’re not left behind in the Fourth Industrial Revolution”.

Mr. John-Peter Amewu, the Energy Minister, in his address, lauded the ECG and its partners for the yeoman’s job in making the Free Wi-Fi a reality.

He, however, cautioned the ECG that whilst it was making arrangements to commercialise the internet service to other private companies, it should not renege on its core mandate of distributing affordable and reliable electricity to Ghanaians and all power consumers.

Professor Kwamena Kwansah-Aidoo, the Rector of GIJ, in his welcome remarks, expressed delight in connecting the premier journalism institution to the free internet service.

He was of the conviction that it would significantly boost academic work in the beneficiary institutions and accelerate national development.

Source:myjoyonline.com

The Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, has stated that the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo-led government is committed to winning the fight against the novel coronavirus pandemic.

She has therefore assured that until the nation’s last active case recovers, the government will not relent in implementing measures that will seek to end the pandemic.

She gave the assurance while speaking on behalf of President Akufo-Addo yesterday to officially commission Ghana’s second Covid-19/infectious disease centre at Pantang, in Accra.

Mrs Osei-Opare noted that the government’s commitment to ending the pandemic is what necessitated the call on the Electricity Company of Ghana and other private companies to complete the building that had been abandoned for about eight years and convert it into an infectious disease centre.

“I wish to assure all Ghanaians that Government is committed and resolute in the fight against this global crisis, which has affected the lives and livelihood across the country and across the entire world,” she said.

Protecting the gains

The Chief of Staff stated that, while the government is committed to leading the fight, Ghanaians must also do their part in sustaining the gains made so far.

“The Covid-19 is still here with us. I therefore urge all of us to continue observing the protocols put in place by the Ministry of Health and Ghana Health Service, ie frequent washing of hands, sanitising of hands, social distancing and very importantly, wearing of nose masks at all times.

“It is only by practicing these proven protocols that we can defeat the coronavirus and the scourge covid-19 from our land,” she said.

Mrs Osei-Opare further called on other institutions to support the government in the fight against the pandemic.

“Government will need the continuous support and collaboration of individuals, public organisations, civil society and private sector companies to join forces to defeat the covid-19 pandemic,” she added.

The facility

The 60-bed Covid-19/infectious disease centre is the second of its kind in the country after the private sector led 100-bed centre, also located in Accra.

The provision of the facility is a collaboration between the Ministry of Health and the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).

The project was funded by ECG as part of its corporate social responsibility to support the government to curb the coronavirus pandemic. It was also supported by other private organisations. The facility, which had been abandoned for close to eight years, was renovated and made ready to be used in a little over four months.

The Board Chairman of ECG, Keli Gadzekpo, said apart from the facility, the company is also providing personal protective equipment (PPEs) to staff who will be manning the facility and other frontline workers.

He noted that ECG is committed to helping the government in fighting the pandemic and will not relent on its effort until the fight has been won.

Source: www.dailystatesman.com.gh

The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) is investing in key projects to ensure reduction in power outages by 70 per cent, the Managing Director of the company, Mr Kwame Agyeman-Badu, has said.
He said the company was investing a $100 million support by the government in three major projects. They are the introduction of a VIT Feeder automation scheme, SCADA coverage of primary substations and the installation of Express 33kv Feeder between Kpando and Hohoe in the Volta Region to ensure operational efficiency.

Mr Agyeman-Badu was speaking at the inauguration of a new office building for the company in the Half-Assini District in the Western Region to create a conducive environment for staff and clients.

Effectiveness

On the VIT feeder technology, Mr Agyeman-Badu said its operation was simple and effective, and did not require a communication network to function.

“This technology comes with benefits such as clearing all transient faults without the feeder experiencing sustained outages,” he said.

According to him, the new scheme would also provide feedback to control centres using incorporated remote terminal units and a safe means of isolating sections of the feeder during maintenance.

On SCADA’s coverage of primary substations, he said it would enable the ECG to remotely operate and monitor Bulk Supply Points (BSPs) and primary substations without waiting to be informed on outages.

“So far, Accra, Tema, and Ashanti regions have partially been covered, with the remaining sub-stations in our operational regions to be covered by this project,” he added.

Mr Agyeman-Badu also said the installation of the Express 33KV Feeder would lead to the construction of a double circuit 2×40MVA express feeder between Kpando and Hohoe.

The current operational system, he said, was unreliable and indicated that the completion of the new project would ensure reliability of power supply to the Oti and Volta regions.

Civil works

On civil works in the Western Region, Mr Agyeman-Badu said: “We have constructed six district offices and customer service centres in Half Assini, Nyinahin, Akontombra, Ateiku, Bibiani and Dadieso districts at the cost of GH¢7.8 million and 23 major engineering projects amounting to GH¢3.4 million.”

For his part, the Western Region General Manager of the ECG, Mr Delali Oklu, said the real business of the company was at the district level where it was providing quality, reliable and safe power supply.

Source: www.graphic.com.gh

The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has partnered an indigenous Ghanaian firm POBAD International to install electric vehicle (EV) charging systems across Ghana.

According to statement issued by the power distribution company, the move is intended to shed light on the introduction and usage of electric vehicle modules to Ghanaian consumers.

Managing Director of ECG, Kwame Agyeman-Budu said his outfit has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with POBAD International Limited to pilot the operations of the EV charging system over the next three months in strategic locations of Accra.

“The pilot phase would afford ECG the opportunity to carry out a thorough engineering and commercial studies into the effects of the EV charging system on EC's electricity distribution networks and the energy consumption rate of the different charging systems,” Agyeman Budu said.

He added results from the pilot phase would guide all interested persons in the automobile industry to contribute significantly to the development of the EV subsector in Ghana.

Agyeman-Budu called further called on all relevant stakeholders and institutions to collaborate towards developing standards to grow the EV sector.

“We wish to call on the Ghana Standards Authority, the Energy Commission, the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) and other relevant bodies and institutions to work together with ECG to develop standards and regulations to guide and govern the growing EV sector in Ghana,” he said.

Managing Director of POBAD International Limited, Paul Badoo on his part said his outfit seeks to partner with the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) to replicate the initiative in the Northern sector of the country.

Baidoo noted the company has so far installed two EV charging sites at the A&C Mall in East Legon, Accra, and Stanbic Heights, Airport City.

“More of these sites will be completed in 2021 and we plan to install ultra-fast EV charging hardware which would charge electric vehicles between 15 and 30 minutes at their partner filling stations along the major highways to offer support to EV drivers when they travel between towns and other regions in Ghana,” he disclosed.

On the payment options for the EV charging systems, Badoo explained, “Payment for the use of EV charge-up hardware will be strictly cashless using a bank credit and debit card. An authorised mobile pay Apps will be made possible when our integration with some financial service partners is completed in the near future.”

Chief Director of the Ministry of Energy, Lawrence Apaase, who represented the sector Minister, noted that the advent of EVs in the country would help to make good the utilisation of the excess energy the country has been paying for.

He allayed the fears of those who think that the electricity consumption by EVs could limit electricity supply to domestic consumption.

“Already, we have more than we need for our daily use and so filling in more demand would rather help us consume the excess we are paying for without utilising it," he explained.

Mr Apaase commended ECG for the initiative, saying it would not only benefit individuals but also help Ghana by helping the country stay compliant with United Nations Development Goals Especially Goal 7, which is about clean energy.

Meanwhile, in 2019, Ghana's electricity regulator, Energy Commission, outdoored the “Drive Electric Initiative” as part of effort geared towards promoting the use of electric powered vehicles for the transportation needs of Ghanaians.

Source: Ghanaweb

The government has released $130 million for the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to replace all obsolete equipment within its line of operation.
“If the equipment is replaced, it will add value, transform power faster, reduce losses and make power cheaper for consumers,” the Minister of Energy, Mr John-Peter Amewu, said.

Speaking at the 8th edition of the Nation Building Updates in Accra yesterday on the theme: “Keeping the lights on, powering our growth”, the minister said the ECG had been operating with obsolete equipment over the past 30 years.

“There are several pieces of equipment of the ECG that are obsolete and these have been in existence for the past 30 years,” he told the packed auditorium of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences.

He said the challenges of the energy sector were not about adding more kilowatts but ensuring efficiency and good management and maintaining what was already there.

Mr Amewu explained that part of the cause of the high cost of electricity was the obsolete equipment used in the transmission of power.

He expressed the hope that when the obsolete equipment was replaced, “the light will be brighter, power expenditure will be lower and the industry will grow”.

Synergy

Mr Amewu explained that the synergy that existed among the Ghana Grid Company Ltd (GRIDCo), the Volta River Authority (VRA), the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) and the Ghana Gas Company Ltd accounted for the improved services Ghanaians were enjoying under the current government.

He criticised the previous government for separating the petroleum sector from that of energy, explaining that it resulted in the lack of coordination between the two sub-sectors, which accounted for the challenges the energy sector experienced under that government.

He said under the current government, there was a high level of ministerial collaboration, “and that explains why today you are enjoying power at low tariffs”.

“Today, the Energy Sector Reform Programme, which is led by our Senior Minister, Mr Yaw Osafo-Maafo, has made it possible for us to solve some of our financial difficulties,” he said.

Mr Amewu explained that the government had decided to relocate the Karpower Plant from Tema to Takoradi in the Western Region, with support from the GNPC, to be closer to the gas power plant to reduce the distance of transporting gas, “which ultimately led to the increase in tariffs for the consumer”.

He explained that with the relocation of the Karpower to Takoradi, consumers would not be slapped with tariff increases “as we saw in the past”.

Reducing energy consumption

The minister explained that the government had been able to renegotiate the pricing of gas from the country’s oil fields from $8.8 to $6.08 and reduced that of Jubilee Gas, in particular, from $3 to zero.

He also announced that the government had procured 12 million energy-saving bulbs to reduce the consumption of energy.

Using diagrams to illustrate his submissions, Mr Amewu said from 2010 electricity tariffs went up, until 2017 when they started coming down, adding: “Today, under President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the tariffs that you are paying are far lower than the tariffs you were paying in 2016.”

He said going forward, “we will improve significantly revenue collection with the implementation of remote sensing technology, which is currently being piloted by the ECG”.

“We will reduce losses, particularly in power distribution, by ensuring that the ECG and the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) implement incentive-based loss reduction targets for all,” he assured Ghanaians.

Mr Amewu gave an assurance that the government would complete all ongoing rural electrification projects to ensure value for money.

“We will enforce competitive procurement of power, the least cost fuel procurement and minimising excess capacity charges,” he added.

Source: www.graphic.com.gh

The Electricity Company of Ghana Limited (ECG) has launched the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), also known as Drones in the operations of the company on Thursday, 22nd October 2020. This was done after successfully training ECG Engineers on how to pilot, operate and utilize the drones at the company’s training school in Tema.

The task of maintaining and inspecting high voltage transmission and distribution lines which continually have vegetation growing on different sections can be difficult, dangerous and costly. As a result, utilities across the world are increasingly looking toward drones as a safe and effective tool to support them in such operations.

The deployment of 15 Wingtra UAV’s, the first of its kind in the company, will support the company’s operations since it has become necessary for the effective monitoring of the company’s distribution network to curb the major challenge of vegetation interference which results in outages.

The applications of having a UAV and a trained pilot for utilities are numerous. Some other benefits this new introduction brings to the company’s operations include;

Identification of weak spots on the network, which cause outages, for prompt rectification.
Routine technical inspections in the power network to identify defects.
Right of way inspections of overhead lines.
Thermal inspections of the network to identify hot spots
Verification of work done by bush-clearing and tree-cutting contractors
Route mapping for construction of new distribution lines
Troubleshooting of portions of the network to locate faults for isolation on overhead lines.
Reduce/Eliminate the physical human limitation of traversing through difficult terrain to inspect faults.
The Wingtra Drones, supplied and serviced by Sahara Natural Resources, can last 1hour in-flight and travel as far as 8km and still be in contact with its control unit whilst continually taking pictures and recording videos along its flight path.

The Managing Director, Mr Kwame Agyeman-Budu, said the use of the Drones will be vital in ensuring stable power supply to customers. The drones give the company the ability to access difficult locations on power lines during inspections for maintenance works without having to shut down the lines which may result in prolonged outages.

Mr Agyeman-Budu, who was himself elated at the new technology, was full of praise for the company’s Board of Directors for their immense support in making this new concept a reality.

As a customer-oriented company, the use of the Drones will assist the company to reduce the frequency and duration of outages, thereby improving the reliability of power supply to ensure the satisfaction of our customers.

Other initiatives rolled out this year to improve our services to customers include the introduction of the ECG mobile app known as ECG POWER, which is fully in operation for online purchasing of electricity, making enquiries and meter management at the convenience of the customer. The ECG Web Portal which can be accessed on the internet gives customers the ease of managing their ECG accounts in the comfort of their homes/offices. The digitization and upgrade of the ECG Call Centre into a Contact Centre brings a more personalized experience for our customers. Other E-platforms introduced this year also include Bulk SMS-broadcasts and a WhatsApp business contact for quick messaging to customers.

ECG is optimistic that the inclusion of drones in its operations will improve efficiency, reliability of power supply to customers, modernize its operations and position the company to become a leading utility service provider.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo Tuesday inspected ongoing works at the 60-bed COVID-19 Treatment Centre at Pantang near Accra.

The facility, which is expected to be completed by December 2020, is a collaboration between the Ministry of Health and the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).

The ECG is funding the project as part of its corporate social responsibility to support government curb the coronavirus pandemic.

The facility will later be converted into an infections disease hospital.

After a brief tour of the facility, President Akufo-Addo said the wake of the pandemic was a call to the country to institute a more robust health delivery system than what is available.

He said the response was Government’s Agenda 111 aimed at increasing the country’s health infrastructure, and that the facility was an indication of a country treading on the right path to building a formidable healthcare delivery system.

The President said the pandemic was an opportunity for the country to emerge stronger from the situation, and “that is my commitment that we come out stronger then we were.”

He was happy that the government was collaborating with the private sector to improve the country’s healthcare delivery system, and commended all the institutions involved in the project.

“It is obvious that anything we are doing, we need to help ourselves. No one will come to help us,” he said.

Under the Agenda 111 project, seven new regional hospitals, two new psychiatric hospitals, district hospitals, and infectious disease treatment centres would be constructed.

Source: GNA

Ghana’s largest power distribution company, the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has been awarded as the best company in the energy sector for contributing immensely to the growth and development of Ghana.

The award was conferred on the power distribution company by The Business Executives, organisers of the Ghana Development Awards.

The Awards ceremony, which took place in Accra, capital of Ghana, was under the theme: ‘Intensifying The Implementation of SDGs for Ghana’s Socio-Economic Recovery Amidst Coronavirus.

The awards aim at identifying and publicly recognising individuals and both public institutions and private enterprises that have contributed to Ghana’s socio-economic development in pivotal ways, as well as foreign institutions that have proved to be exemplary development partners.

Per the assessment of the organisers, the strategies put in place by ECG to address the challenges of covid-19 worked effectively. And this, to the organisers, ensured the stable supply of power during the lockdown in some parts of the country and after.

The organisers noted that ECG activated all the Covid-19 protocols and ensured that its offices were opened to attend to customers, despite running a weekly shift system in its entire operational areas as part of effort to ensure social distancing at the work place.

The organisers also noted that, ECG’s performance, prior to the emergence of Covid-19 and during the pandemic, had improved significantly translating into a huge jump in revenue mobilisation.

Similarly, the organisers honoured the Managing Director of ECG, Kwame Agyeman-Budu, for his exceptional leadership that has resulted in efficiency in the management of the power distribution company.

The organisers noted that under his leadership, ECG deployed some innovations including the internal development of ECG Power App which enables electricity consumers to buy credit using their Smart Meters at the comfort of their homes.

They also cited the replacement of non-Smart Meters to Smart Meters in ECG’s operations.

They also took into consideration how Mr. Agyeman-Budu ensured that there was smooth integration of restructured ECG staff and Power Distribution Services (PDS) Ghana staff without any agitations.

Additionally, the organisers noted that he used his good office, lobbying skills and transparent leadership to ensure that government settles its indebtedness to the ECG to the extent that Government now has a credit balance with the company.

Source: energynewsafrica.com