Nearly GHS700m Debt Stifles GRIDCo Power Transmission

Power transmitter, Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo) is struggling to operate due to the failure of as many as 39 companies to pay for services provided.

The Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) is one of the major debtors with an outstanding amount of GHS 694 million.

GRIDCo says the debt situation has caused a reduction in energy transmitted and triggered inadequate capital needed to facilitate smooth operations.

GRIDCo’s statement of account dated August 17, 2018 shows the main debtors captured in the report are the Volta Aluminium Company Limited (VALCO) and the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG).

While ECG was required to make payments of GHS957 million as of August 17, 2018, VALCO was to settle an amount of GHS29 million.

The two succeeded in making part payments leaving VALCO with an outstanding commitment of GHS2.5 million while that of ECG stood at GHS253million.

The two are named in another document titled Issues Affecting GRIDCo’s Financial performance.

Parts of the documents read “current capital ratio for 2014, 16 and 17 are 1.85, 1.00 and 0.98. The declining current ratio confirms the high receivables held by ECG and VALCO and weak liquidity support.”

This document states that the standard capital ratio to be 2:1 but that of GRIDCO currently stands at 0.96.

Other companies indebted to GRIDCo include Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCO), Volta River Authority (VRA), Great Consolidated Mines, Asogli Thermal Station, Ameri Power Plant, Bui Hydro Power, Karpowership among others.