The Millennium Challenge Corporation has extended the Ghana Power Compact II project to June 2022.

This is due to delay in completion of some of the projects due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The MCC Country Director, Steve Marma told energynewsafrica.com during the inauguration of the Meter Management System established by the Millennium Development Authority (MiDA).

According to him, it is not the policy of the MCC to extend the compact period but had to do so because it is necessary to do so.

“With our partners at the Millennium Development Authority [MiDA], and in partnership with entities like the Electricity Company of Ghana [ECG], the Ghana Power Compact is strengthening the southern power transmission and distribution systems to bring more reliable electricity to Ghana, its citizens and businesses,” Mr. Marma said.

“This new IT investment will make things a little better for the ordinary Ghanaian who needs electricity in their everyday activities”, he explained.

“When you finish work and go to pay for your electricity, the pre-paid credit system shouldn’t be down. It now has a backup system to provide redundancy. Instead of rushing to the ECG payment centre in your region, once fully rolled out, MMS allows payments across geographic boundaries, giving customers more flexibility at where they pay,” he stressed.

The Ghana Power Compact II, which was started in September 2016, was originally scheduled to end on September 6, 2021.

The Ghana Power Compact II is focused on the ECG’s Financial and Operational Turnaround Project, Regulatory Strengthening and Capacity Building Project, Access Project and Energy Efficiency as well as Demand-side Management Project.

Some of the projects which have been completed under the Compact are the Pokuase Bulk Supply Point, Meter Management System, GIS Complete and AC Test Facility Complete.