By Naa Shormei Odonkor, GNA
Kumasi, April 10, GNA – The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), has explained that the Smart Pre-paid meters are not account for the rapid or higher consumption of power purchased by consumers.
Mr Benjamin Obeng Antwi, Public Relations Officer of the Ashanti West of ECG, who said this noted that, many factors such as poor wiring, overloading the earthen system, and weather conditions, contributed to higher consumption of power and thereby, resulting to an increased power purchase.
He explained that the Smart Prepaid Meters were introduced to enhance easy purchase of electricity, system update, and record power consumption accurately.
According to Mr Antwi, the old prepaid meters were faulty and obsolete, which were not giving accurate consumption of power.
“The old meters required us to visit every household to update the system, however, the smart one did not require us to do the update by visiting the households,” he stated.
He outlined some best practices such as employing the services of certified electrical wiring professionals to ensure the use of standard wires in the wiring processes.
He noted that the use of substandard wires caused higher consumption of electricity, resulting in the unsustainability of power purchased.
“For instance, four millimeters (mm) are required for air-condition installations, two mm for sockets and 1.5 mm for lighting,” Mr Antwi noted.
Additionally, retaining the use of older cables or conductors which were above 10 to 15 years enhanced higher consumption of electricity due to the breakdown of insulations causing more power to be drawn for use.
Again, Mr Antwi said the earthen system played an important role in energy conservation by checking leakages and protecting the premises of buildings against electrocutions or lightning strikes.
He indicated that every apartment was expected to have an earthen system to prevent overloading and overworking the system.
“Sometimes four or more apartments use the same earthen system instead of each apartment having its own earthen system.
Instead of keeping the resistance value at zero, sometimes you’ll check and it is higher than zero” he said.
Mr Antwi, therefore, encouraged citizens to pay attention to their wiring and earthen systems to ensure that, they were in good shape to prevent higher consumption of electricity.
Also, he advised that citizens purchased brand new gadgets instead of the home-used ones as the home-used ones might have exhausted their efficiency, hence, draw more power to work.
“When buying the brand-new gadgets, check the number of stars because the higher the stars the more efficient the gadgets are without consuming more power,” said Mr Antwi.
He debunked speculations that frequent light outs consumed most of the power purchased.
With the issue of increased tariffs, he said the ECG was not responsible for the increase in tariffs but the Public Utility Regulatory Commission (PURC).
According to Mr Antwi, the utilities services including Ghana Water Company and the ECG only made proposals to PURC in respect to their expenditure then PURC decides the tariffs.
However, adjustments could be made during the quarterly reviews depending on new developments.
Mr Antwi entreated the public to be calm and trust in the ECG to supply quality and safe power to its customers.
GNA
Edited by Kwabia Owusu-Mensah/Linda Asante Agyei