The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has requested the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) to defer its planned maintenance exercise on the transmission network until contingency measures are put in place to mitigate the impact.

In a statement the Commission said if no reasonableness is attached to the execution of the replacement and maintenance exercise it is likely to compound the current electricity challenges, which would result in a national emergency.

“Whilst the Commission acknowledges the importance of the execution of the planned maintenance works it is also mindful of the current challenges being faced in the supply of electricity nationwide and its impact on consumers of electricity and even water,” the statement signed by Nana Yaa Akyempim Jantuah, Director, Public Relations and External Affairs said.

GRIDCo has announced a planned major replacement /maintenance exercise which is scheduled for completion by July 2016.

The PURC has directed GRIDCo to furnish it with the schedule of works and planned completion dates for maintenance of the Transmission Network Infrastructure.

GRIDCo must also provide the Commission with details of all contingency measures the company has deployed to mitigate any impact the interruption of the transmission network may have on consumers.

The statement said GRIDCo as demanded by law shall provide prior information to the Commission before any future public announcements for planned maintenance works, which may result in interruptions to worsen the current load shedding situation.

GRIDCo shall provide a clear communication strategy it intends to deploy to inform stakeholders and the public about intended interruptions associated with the planned maintenance works.