ECG Explains Rising Electricity Bills: Lifestyle, Tariffs & Faulty Wiring
Amid growing public concern over surging electricity bills, the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has provided clarity on the main contributors: approved tariffs, household energy habits, inefficient appliances, and poor electrical installations—not meter malfunction. Dr. Charles Nii Ayiku Ayiku, ECG’s General Manager for External Communications, stressed that the public must also take responsibility for their consumption behaviors. Dr. Ayiku reiterated that ECG does not determine electricity tariffs—it applies rates approved by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC). The charges include energy consumption fees, streetlight levies, and service costs, all based strictly on usage. High-powered appliances such as air conditioners, water heaters, and fridges significantly drive up bills. Additionally, so-called “vampire loads” — power drawn by devices like TVs, chargers, and gaming consoles in standby — quietly inflate consumption. Dr. Ayiku explained: “Sometimes we blame the meters, but often our own […]