By Joyce Adjei Tawiah
The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has announced a massive replacement of approximately 250,000 old and obsolete meters in the Accra East District of the Greater Accra Region.
The month-long exercise aims to replace meters over 10 years old with new Smart Alpha T and D pre-paid meters, which come with advanced features ensuring accurate readings and improved power distribution efficiency.
According to ECG, the replacement is in response to persistent customer complaints about inaccurate billing, frequent power outages, and difficulties in recharging pre-paid meters.
“We are replacing these meters not because we want to cheat anybody. Far from that. If anybody feels cheated, the standards authority are available.”
“Currently, with the meters that we have in place, they are off by just some few basis points. So, every single thing you use at home will be read. I think this brings us to the conversation of energy conservation.“
Managing Director Samuel Dubik Mahama explained that the old meters, many of which have been in service for over a decade, are prone to technical faults that disrupt service delivery.
Mahama emphasised that the replacement is not intended to cheat customers but rather to ensure accurate billing and reduce revenue loss.
He noted that the new meters are calibrated and can be verified through home audits. The exercise started in Lapam One at La Palmwine, a suburb of Accra, and will be carried out in phases, prioritising areas with the most frequent issues.