The Institute of Energy Security (IES) has backed calls to merge the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) and the Energy Commission of Ghana.
This proposal is gaining traction among industry experts and policymakers as a means to streamline regulatory functions, cut operational costs, and eliminate overlaps in overseeing Ghana’s energy sector.
The urgency for a more cohesive approach has never been more pressing, given the challenges that currently plague the energy landscape in the country.
IES argues that uniting these two regulatory bodies into a single entity would yield significant cost savings while enhancing the overall efficiency and effectiveness of energy regulation in Ghana.
With the energy sector facing myriad challenges, a merger is seen as a strategic move that could lead to better policy formulation and implementation.
Nana Amoasi IV, Executive Director of IES, emphasizes that a unified regulatory authority would streamline decision-making processes and eliminate bureaucratic delays, ultimately fostering a more responsive energy environment.
Highlighting the need for a streamlined approach, Nana Amoasi IV pointed out that in today’s interconnected power sector, effective regulation requires a cohesive command structure.
He noted that in the West African power pool, a single regulator is the norm, unlike Ghana’s current fragmented system.