As part of plans to control technical and commercial losses in the West African Power Sector (WAPS), a three-day workshop has been organized for members of the West African Power Pool (WAPP).

The workshop, which opened yesterday in Ghana, is under the framework of a comprehensive WAPP programme aimed at reinforcing the capacity of WAPP.

This stems from the fact that the West African electricity sub-sector requires concerted efforts on all fronts to ensure that the population enjoys quality service at competitive costs.

The Secretary General of WAPP, Amadou Diallo, in a speech read on his behalf, said most utilities have double-digit technical and non-technical loss values that are far above industry standard and continues to affect their financial performance, as well as tariff levels.

“While it is important that the necessary capital investments in generation, transmission and distribution assets are made on time, it is equally vital that parallel efforts be made to ensure that the existing supply is treated as a precious commodity that needs to be preserved.”

He noted that the ignorance of customers on prudent electricity usage culminates in unnecessary waste and high bills that could be avoided.

Dr. N.K Smart-Yeboah, Director Customer Service, Electricity Company of Ghana, on his part, stressed that WAPP’s vision is to integrate the operations of power utilities into a unified regional electricity market, which would assure West African states of reliable and cost effective electricity supply.

The forum is a collaboration between WAPP and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Electricity Company of Ghana, which is aimed at sharing experiences and best practices among member companies.

It represents an opportunity for stronger inter-utility relationships to develop a medium for enhanced exchanges on matters of common interest.