The Bono Regional Office of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has facilitated the capture of 2,036 Self-Help Electrification Project (SHEP) meters into the Northern Electricity Distribution Company’s (NEDCo) billing system. This significant step aims to bring previously unbilled electricity consumers into a formal billing structure, thereby strengthening revenue mobilization and improving accountability within the power distribution sector.
This intervention is a core part of the PURC Bono Regional Office’s comprehensive report. The report details progress in electricity infrastructure development, revenue mobilization, meter replacement, and consumer education. It also outlines various interventions to address persistent power and water supply challenges across the Bono and Ahafo regions. NEDCo recorded a 96.65 percent revenue collection rate during the period under review, indicating efficient financial operations.
The integration of these 2,036 SHEP meters into NEDCo’s system provides a more comprehensive revenue base for the electricity distributor. It also ensures that all consumers connected to the national grid are properly captured within the billing framework. This aligns with Ghana’s broader economic strategy to formalize informal sectors and improve public utility revenue streams. Such measures are crucial for the financial health and sustainability of utility providers like NEDCo.
The PURC stated that this integration will enhance billing accuracy and reduce instances of estimated billing. It will also address frustrations experienced by consumers using defective meters. This move is expected to improve consumer confidence in the billing process. It also supports the government's commitment to transparent and fair utility service provision.
In a related development, NEDCo has made substantial investments to strengthen the electricity supply infrastructure in the region. The company injected 33 transformers into its network in 2026, incurring a total project cost of approximately GHS 4.77 million. Additionally, NEDCo replaced 263 high-tension and low-voltage poles at a cost of GHS 989,000. It also upgraded 15 transformers at an estimated cost of GHS 120,600. These infrastructure improvements are vital for ensuring reliable power supply and reducing outages.
One major project involved upgrading the 10MVA power transformer at the Berekum Primary Substation to 20MVA. This intervention is expected to significantly increase the substation’s capacity and improve electricity supply to consumers within the Berekum enclave. NEDCo also undertook transformer injections at Asuakwa, Kyeremasu, and Dumasua. These actions aim to improve voltage stability and enhance power supply reliability for consumers in these affected communities.
The PURC also actively engaged NEDCo on quality-of-service challenges affecting electricity consumers across the Bono and Ahafo regions. Particular attention was given to reliability, responsiveness, and the timely resolution of consumer complaints. This oversight role is critical for maintaining service standards and protecting consumer interests. The Commission’s proactive stance ensures that utility providers are held accountable for their service delivery.
On the water front, the PURC has intensified its monitoring of Ghana Water Limited’s (GWL) operations. This followed persistent complaints of inadequate or no water flow in parts of the Sunyani Municipality. Officials from the PURC Bono Regional Office inspected the GWL Abesim Headworks to assess the situation. They aimed to ascertain the challenges affecting water production, particularly rising turbidity levels, which complicate water treatment.
Despite operational challenges, GWL recorded an impressive 97 percent revenue mobilization collection rate at mid-year. The PURC also reported that, through its intervention, 485 faulty electricity meters were replaced for consumers at a total cost of GHS 1,543,307.65. This replacement exercise is expected to improve billing accuracy and reduce estimated billing. GWL has also introduced the Low Income Customer Support Department (LICSD) initiative. This initiative aims to improve service delivery and customer relations in low-income urban communities, benefiting 600 consumers in the region so far.
Looking ahead, the integration of these meters is expected to contribute to NEDCo's financial stability. It will also improve the overall efficiency of electricity distribution in the Bono and Ahafo regions. Decision-makers will monitor the impact on revenue collection rates and consumer satisfaction. The success of this initiative could inform similar strategies in other regions of Ghana. Continued infrastructure investment and regulatory oversight will be crucial for sustaining these improvements.