ECG Activates Standby Teams to Manage Festive Energy Load in Ashanti Region

Introduction

The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) in the Ashanti Region has implemented robust technical and operational measures to manage the anticipated surge in electricity demand during the 2025 festive season. As Christmas approaches, the utility provider anticipates a significant increase in energy consumption due to the high number of residents staying home for the holidays. To ensure a stable and uninterrupted power supply, the ECG has mobilized standby teams and optimized its payment systems to handle the increased load on the grid.

Key Points

Background

The Ashanti South Region of the ECG is a critical distribution hub, serving six primary districts: Obuasi, New Edubiase, Bekwai, Asokwa, Dunkwa, and Manso Nkwanta. Historically, the festive period presents unique challenges for power distribution. With a large portion of the population returning to their home districts for Christmas, residential energy consumption spikes, placing immense pressure on local transformers and distribution feeders.

In previous years, this surge often led to localized outages due to overloading. To mitigate this, the ECG has been monitoring consumption patterns specifically for the 2025 holiday season. The utility company noted that the high concentration of industrial and residential usage in these six districts necessitates a specialized approach to grid management, distinct from other regions in Ghana.

Analysis

The ECG’s strategy for the 2025 festive season is multifaceted, focusing on both immediate response and long-term grid stability. According to Ing. Jonathan Adjabeng, the Ashanti South Region General Manager, the primary concern is the correlation between occupancy and load. “Now numerous consumers might be house, because of this call for of quite a bit will shoot up and force on our assets and infrastructures,” he explained. This insight has driven the deployment of specific operational protocols.

Strategic Infrastructure Investments

Beyond the immediate holiday measures, the ECG has been aggressive in infrastructure development throughout 2025. The company has executed 35 infrastructure projects valued at approximately $20 million. These projects are not merely cosmetic; they are designed to “ease force on feeders and beef up voltage high quality.” Specific interventions include the acquisition of additional feeders to offload stressed circuits and the injection of transformers into areas that historically suffer from low voltage during peak hours.

Digital Transformation and Revenue Assurance

The transition to cashless payment systems is a cornerstone of the ECG’s operational efficiency. The company has intensified reforms to reduce commercial losses and curb extortion. By leveraging mobile money platforms, QR codes, and short codes, the ECG aims to streamline revenue mobilization. This digital shift ensures that customers can settle bills remotely, avoiding the congestion often seen at physical payment points during the holidays. This is crucial for maintaining the liquidity required to manage the grid effectively.

Proactive Fault Management

Traditionally, utility companies have relied on reactive maintenance—fixing faults after they occur. However, the ECG is shifting towards a proactive stance. Ing. Adjabeng highlighted that the company is deploying “fast and proactive detection of fault in our networks to prevent power cuts.” This shift is vital for the festive season, where rapid restoration is expected by consumers. By identifying potential weak points in the network before they fail, the ECG aims to maintain the “mandate to simply supply reliable, safe and quality electricity.”

Practical Advice

To ensure a seamless electrical supply during the 2025 Christmas festivities, customers in the Ashanti Region are advised to take the following steps:

Adopt Cashless Payments

Customers should prioritize using the ECG Power App, MTN Mobile Money, Vodafone Cash, or AirtelTigo Money to purchase electricity credit. This minimizes physical contact and ensures that credit is available 24/7, even when physical offices are closed or crowded.

Manage Household Load

While the grid is being fortified, consumers play a vital role. Avoid running heavy appliances like air conditioners, washing machines, and geysers simultaneously. Spreading out usage can prevent local overloading and tripping of internal circuit breakers.

Report Issues Promptly

If you notice flickering lights or low voltage, report it immediately via the ECG Power App or the official customer service lines. Early reporting helps the proactive fault detection teams isolate and fix issues before they escalate into widespread outages.

Clear Utility Areas

Ensure that the area around your meter and service lines is clear of obstructions, especially during the harmattan season when bushfires are a risk. This allows easy access for the standby technical teams if intervention is required.

FAQ

Conclusion

The Electricity Company of Ghana is taking a proactive and comprehensive approach to safeguarding the power supply in the Ashanti Region this Christmas. Through a combination of infrastructure investment, proactive fault detection, and the mobilization of standby technical teams, the ECG aims to mitigate the pressures of the festive load surge. By embracing digital payment solutions and practicing responsible energy consumption, customers can contribute to a stable and joyous holiday season for the entire region.

Sources

• Life Pulse Daily (Original Report)
• Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) Ashanti South Region Press Statements
• Interview with Ing. Jonathan Adjabeng, Ashanti South Region General Manager