Ghana’s biggest industrial and commercial power users are demanding lower electricity tariffs and more reliable service, warning that rising costs and unstable supply are squeezing their operations and threatening jobs.
At a high level stakeholder engagement convened by the Energy Commission, bulk electricity customers spoke candidly about the pressure they face in the current power market.
The meeting was chaired by Mr Samuel Kwadwo Sarpong, Chairman of the Electricity Market Oversight Panel, and Mr Anthony C Bleboo, Director for Electricity and Natural Gas at the Commission.
More than 15 major power consumers attended, alongside regulators. Their message was simple and urgent. Electricity tariffs, especially demand charges, are not aligned with actual consumption patterns and are undermining operational sustainability. Some stakeholders called for tariff reductions of up to 30 percent, while others demanded greater transparency in how electricity prices are calculated.
For many businesses, the issue goes beyond figures on a bill. Frequent minor outages, voltage fluctuations and delayed fault response times are causing production losses and damaging expensive equipment. Representatives said the situation has forced some companies to spend heavily on backup systems, adding to already high operating costs.
There was also frustration with the Electricity Company of Ghana. Bulk customers argued that despite their scale and investment, they are often treated like ordinary residential consumers, with little distinction in communication and service response. They called for clearer service level agreements and differentiated treatment that reflects their contribution to the economy.
Still, the engagement was not entirely critical. Participants praised the process that allows bulk customers to participate directly in the wholesale electricity market, describing the permitting system as clear, predictable and efficient.
In his opening remarks, Mr Sarpong struck a conciliatory tone. He stressed that regulators do not see large consumers as adversaries but as partners in national development. When bulk customers are under strain, he noted, the wider economy feels the impact.
The Commission has pledged concrete action. A technical review of bulk customer tariff structures is underway, alongside efforts to develop service quality benchmarks and strengthen consultation mechanisms ahead of future tariff adjustments. Regulators also plan to issue a joint circular with the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission and the Electricity Company of Ghana to clarify the rights and obligations of bulk customers.
With the government pursuing a 24 hour economy agenda, regulators say they are also examining how off peak tariffs can better align with national policy objectives.
Both regulators and industry players left the meeting with a shared understanding that discussion alone will not be enough. Businesses want relief and reliability. Regulators say reforms are coming. The focus now shifts from dialogue to delivery.
