Ahenema Kokoben: The Ashanti West Region of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has embarked on the second phase of its pilot project for smart prepaid meters in the Ahenema Kokoben District, specifically in Brofoyedru.
According to Ghana News Agency, 100 new smart prepaid meters, consisting of 90 single-phase and 10 three-phase meters, have been installed. These installations replace non-smart prepaid, faulty prepaid, and postpaid meters at no cost to selected customers. Mr. George Amoah, General Manager of ECG's Ashanti West Region, stated that the pilot will last for two months, after which the results will be evaluated to determine the feasibility of a broader rollout.
The initiative is part of ECG's 'Loss Reduction Project' (LRP), which aims to enhance operational efficiency and reduce energy losses. The Ahenema Kokoben District was chosen due to its rapid customer base growth and increasing electricity demand. The district currently serves over 50,000 customers, with expectations for this number to rise to between 80,000 and 100,000 by the following year.
Mr. Amoah pointed out the advanced features of the new meters, such as an activity recorder that logs all user interactions. The system is designed to detect any illegal connections or tampering, automatically shutting down the meter and preventing further credit purchases.
The smart meters are integrated with the Meter Management System (MMS), enabling customers to purchase credit online and access real-time data about their energy consumption and purchases through the User Interface Unit. ECG is closely monitoring the performance of these meters to ensure the pilot's success for the benefit of both the company and its customers.
Mr. Amoah also ensured that any unused credit from the old meters would be transferred to the new smart meters. He encouraged the public to assist in combating power theft by reporting illegal connections to ECG offices or the national task force at 0551444011. Whistleblowers providing credible information can earn a six percent commission on any recovered amount.
