Ghana regulator raps utility on desalinated water never delivered
19 Sep 18 by Carl Myers
The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) of Ghana has ordered Ghana Water Company (GWCL) to repay GHS 14 million ($2.8 million) to rate payers, after the utility charged for water that was not delivered between 15 March and 15 September 2018.
Ghana’s former deputy minister of water resources Sampson Ahi has called on president Nana Akufo-Addo to dissolve the utility’s executive board.
The Teshie-Nungua Desalination Plant was shut on 1 January 2018, when GWCL began struggling to keep up with payments under the 25-year water purchase agreement with Befesa Desalination Development Ghana (Befesa).
The PURC stated that between January and July 2018, it offered GWCL a chance to clarify the tariff implications of the utility’s decisions not to operate the plant.
GWCL is additionally ordered to pay compensation to customers of GHS 542,938 ($109,353).
The regulator served an order on the company for a breach of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission Act 1997. The monies will be repaid through an effective 10.08 per cent reduction in water tariffs for all GWCL customers.
The public-private partnership contract to build, own, and operate the 60,000 m3/d plant was originally awarded to Befesa, later part of Abengoa, in 2011.
In February 2018, AquaVenture came forward to acquire the 56 per cent stake in plant owned by Abengoa for $26 million.
Abengoa in talks aimed at re-opening Ghana desalination plant (February 2018)
Comments
Login on register to comment
Related content
Desalination
A world leader committed to preserving resources through desalination and reuse
The Group designs
Desalination
Leading expert delivers online masterclass on membrane fouling
There is only one week left to register for this exciting new format of online event and deepen your understanding of membrane fouling in only one hour.
Desalination
Singapore International Water Week Turns 10 Years: Celebrating a Decade of Accomplishment in the Global Water Industry
The Singapore International Water Week (SIWW) is the world's premier platform to connect the water industry for innovative solutions and sustainable urban water management. The biennial event gathers stakeholders from the global water industry to share best practices
Related supplier content
Desalination
Xylem reuse system to up potable water supply in Los Angeles
Water technology company
Desalination
Sterlitech offers new ultrafiltration membranes
Laboratory products and membrane testing firm Sterlitech is offering Synder Filtration's recently developed ultrafiltration membranes
Desalination
Osmoflo reports concentrate reduction success
Australian desalination company Osmoflo has reported success with site tests of its concentrate reduction technology for reverse osmosis (RO) plants. The firm said its Brine Squeezer system increased recovery from 80% to 95% in a mine wastewater recovery pilot.