TIG Post

Tag: Ing. Kwadwo Obeng

  • No ‘dumsor’ timetable is needed – ECG

    No ‘dumsor’ timetable is needed – ECG

    Deputy Managing Director of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Ing. Kwadwo Obeng has dismissed calls for a load shedding timetable despite the announcement of a three-week power outage due to a gas supply shortage from Nigeria.

    Business owners, including barbers and tailors, have urged ECG to release a timetable to help them plan their operations during the outages.

    One barber expressed his concerns to Citi News, highlighting the impact on his livelihood as he lacks a generator to continue working during power cuts.

    “I think that the situation will have some effects on our businesses. There is nothing we can do. It’s only God that we are praying to save us from this. Because we don’t have any solution, I don’t have a generator to work. So, if there is no light, what can I do?

    “I just have to sit down and wait till the lights are turned on. If there’s no light, how can I work? I can’t work. And if there is no work, how do you expect me to eat? Or solve my problems?”

    In response, Ing. Obeng explained at a public forum that creating a timetable would be challenging and potentially inaccurate due to other potential faults and maintenance work.

    He emphasized the complexity of the situation, noting that without knowing the exact amount of power that needs to be shed or the duration of peak and off-peak periods, it’s difficult to establish a reliable schedule.

    Obeng assured that ECG is collaborating with local manufacturers and companies with plants in the country to address the power sector challenges.

    “We’re collaborating with local manufacturers, we’re collaborating with companies that have plants here…there’s more certainty in the amount that needs to be shed, then the utilities can also plan, then we’re definite.

    “We know there will be a three-week [challenge], do we even know the quantum, we don’t know the quantum. Without the quantum, how do you even prepare the schedule? There are several factors, having known the quantum, you need to know the duration, there’s an off-peak period, peak period.”

  • ECG relies on customer reports to identify low voltage issues – Deputy MD

    ECG relies on customer reports to identify low voltage issues – Deputy MD

    The Deputy Managing Director of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Mr. Kwadwo Obeng, has encouraged customers to report any instances of low voltage they experience.

    He emphasized that without customer reports, ECG officials cannot address these issues.

    “If you don’t report low voltage, it is difficult for us to know. It is always good to report”, he said.

    Mr. Obeng made these remarks at a public forum organized by CSOs in the energy sector, including IMANI Africa, the Africa Centre for Energy Policy, COSECA, NRGI, and IES. The forum aimed to engage management teams from VRA, ECG, GRIDco, PURC, and the Energy Commission to discuss the recent power sector challenges and the measures being taken to restore stability and improve institutional coordination.

    While acknowledging the difficulties customers face in accessing electricity, Mr. Obeng stressed that ECG can only assist if faults are reported. He assured that ECG is committed to improving its services.

    He promised that they would continue enhancing their services.

    “You will agree with me that our services keep improving. Now, you can be in Kumasi and buy electricity for a house in Accra,” he said, but was greeted with chuckles from the audience.

    Addressing the causes of the erratic power supply, commonly known as ‘dumsor,’ Mr. Obeng explained, “It is basically a shortfall in generation. It means there is a shortage in the system.

    “It is basically a shortfall in generation. It means there is shortage in the system. We expect a quantum, but we don’t get, sometimes, it is gas shortage, sometimes it is maintenance. It could be a number of factors.”

  • Calling for ‘dumsor’ timetable is unnecessary – ECG tells Ghanaians

    Calling for ‘dumsor’ timetable is unnecessary – ECG tells Ghanaians

    Deputy Managing Director of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Ing. Kwadwo Obeng, has dismissed requests for a load shedding timetable amid ongoing power challenges.

    ECG, in conjunction with GRIDCo, recently announced a three-week power outage due to a gas supply shortfall from Nigeria.

    This announcement has prompted calls from business owners for a structured load shedding timetable to aid in planning during this period.

    In interviews with Citi News, barbers and tailors expressed concerns over the impact on their businesses and emphasized the necessity of a timetable to organize their operations effectively.

    “I think that the situation will have some effects on our businesses. There is nothing we can do. It’s only God that we are praying to save us from this. Because we don’t have any solution, I don’t have a generator to work. So, if there is no light, what can I do?

    “I just have to sit down and wait till the lights are turned on. If there’s no light, how can I work? I can’t work. And if there is no work, how do you expect me to eat? Or solve my problems?

    However, speaking at a public forum focused on addressing challenges in the power sector, Ing. Kwadwo Obeng emphasized that a fixed timetable might not remain accurate in the presence of additional faults and ongoing maintenance work.

    “We’re collaborating with local manufacturers, we’re collaborating with companies that have plants here…there’s more certainty in the amount that needs to be shed, then the utilities can also plan, then we’re definite.

    “We know there will be a three-week [challenge], do we even know the quantum, we don’t know the quantum. Without the quantum, how do you even prepare the schedule? There are several factors, having known the quantum, you need to know the duration, there’s an off-peak period, peak period.”

    Obeng stressed the complexity of the situation and the need for flexibility in managing power supply interruptions effectively during this period of gas supply constraints.