An analysis of distribution losses in electric power system in Ghana, a case study of the Brong Ahafo Region

Abstract

Market-driven economies and deregulated electricity industry environments have stimulated minimization of the distribution losses even though they do not constitute major operational or quality of supply problems. This research discusses a method for evaluation of distribution losses and an effective management approach to loss minimization and revenue collection. In this research the contribution of other authors was sought on the distribution losses, their analysis and the various ways of minimizing them was discussed. To get the opinion of the public and the workers on the situation of the distribution losses in the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) of Brong Ahafo region simple random sampling was used to get respondents. Interviews conducted with some workers and management revealed that distribution losses have categorized into two thus technical and non-technical losses. An analysis of the distribution losses in Brong Ahafo region revealed that about 30% constitute 94.25 GWh of the power is lost from monthly power purchase from VRA. The study recommends the introduction of prudent measures including electricity theft, monitoring device and private partnership in the management of distribution system.