The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has concluded its investigations on the causes of the recent erratic power supply which began earlier this year.

The report established a number of factors that led to the challenges in power supply including technical challenges in the natural gas supply network, new transmission infrastructure being constructed on the National Interconnected Transmission System (NITS) and Planned and unplanned maintenance activities on the aspects of the NITS.

Others include a “reduction in reactive power support in the mid-portion of the country and emergency upgrade and modification works on the NITS to increase reactive power support and improve voltage is in the mid-portion of the country,” PURC stated in a press release signed by the Executive Secretary Mami Dufie Ofori.

The report established that there were delays in the implementation of various capital projects that were required to improve network reliability and availability.

Some of these projects are currently ongoing and the Commission will continue to closely monitor the works to ensure compliance with quality-of-service benchmarks, they added.

“Following the conclusion of the preliminary investigations, the commission in accordance with its regulatory processes is ascertaining the liabilities and the possibility of compensation to consumers in recognition of any loss occasioned by the erratic power supply.”

“The commission further encourages consumers to report any case of damaged equipment to the nearest ECG/NEDCo office for the appropriate action failing which the report may be forward to the PURC for redress,” the statement read.

PURC, in its reports, stated that the need for an updated and consolidated generation and transmission master plan cannot be overemphasized. Thus, the Commission set up to investigate the power outages would therefore engage all relevant stakeholders to ensure that this is achieved.

“The commission assures key stakeholders and the general public of its commitment to protecting the interest of consumers and utility service providers.”