The 2027 Budget promises 2 million prepaid meters and private firms in power distribution by end-2027, plus GH¢50m for lifeline users.

Published 12 Nov 2026, 22:55 GMT

2 min read

An ECG worker checking an electricity meter — An ECG worker at a customer's meter (file photo)

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Two million prepaid meters will be deployed to cut distribution losses, with private firms running parts of power distribution by the end of 2027.

Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson laid the 2027 Budget before Parliament on Thursday, November 12. The Statement says "performance-based private-sector participation in electricity distribution will be fully implemented by the end of 2027", while "strategic public assets will remain protected".

The budget blames steep tariffs, leaky distribution, poor revenue collection, fuel risks and piled-up obligations for weighing on businesses and the budget. In 2025 the energy sector's yearly shortfall stood near US$1.4 billion, and arrears owed to power producers and fuel suppliers came to about US$1.7 billion.

The investments in generation, grid modernisation and distribution "will eliminate the US$1.4 billion taxpayers' money government is compelled to spend yearly on the energy sector shortfall", the Statement says. Generating a kilowatt-hour should cost 8 cents or less, down from about 16 US cents.

What it means for customers

For customers, the budget sets GH¢50 million aside for lifeline consumers and GH¢13 billion to cover energy sector payment shortfalls and keep supply steady. Customers in arrears already face disconnection under ECG's debt collection drive.

Another GH¢3 billion takes rural electrification to six regions: Western, Western North, Upper West and Upper East. The North East and Northern regions are covered too.

The government will also spend US$500 million from 2027 to 2030 modernising the transmission system, with GRIDCo strengthening the north-south network. Costly emergency power plants are to be phased out by 2030, backed by a new state-owned 1,450MW thermal plant and a 600MW solar plant with battery storage.

What the budget does not say is whether tariffs will change, which private firms will take part, or where the two million meters will go first.

Araba IncoomAraba Incoom writes on multiple topics with a vast knowledge across different sector. You can almost call me an AI, after all, my initials are Araba Incoom.

ECG prepaid meters: 2 million to be deployed as private firms enter distribution

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