The devastating consequences of SHEP Meters on ECG’s revenue collection and electricity sector’s sustainability

The Government of Ghana's Self-Help Electrification Program (SHEP) aimed to extend electricity access to underserved areas but has caused significant financial strain on the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) due to poor coordination.

The failure to capture new meters in ECG’s billing system has led to widespread revenue losses and unbilled electricity consumption, pushing ECG toward fiscal instability.

This situation forces ECG to inflate bills for paying customers, eroding trust and encouraging unethical practices. The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) must intervene, ensuring proper meter integration and halting arbitrary billing practices.

The government must also take responsibility for its mismanagement of SHEP and provide resources for ECG to address these inefficiencies, ensuring a sustainable solution for universal electricity access.