The President of the Association of Ghana Industries, Kofi Nsiah-Poku, has called on the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to introduce reverse metering, describing its absence as a persistent challenge hindering the growth of renewable energy in the country.
According to him, the increasing adoption of solar energy by businesses has led to situations where excess power is generated but cannot be fed back into the national grid, limiting the benefits of private sector investment.
Mr. Nsiah-Poku explained that reverse metering would allow consumers to supply surplus electricity to ECG and draw power when needed, with a net balance calculated at the end of each billing cycle.
He noted that reverse metering is widely used in many countries and questioned why Ghana has yet to adopt the system despite ongoing efforts to promote renewable energy.
“This has been going on for a long time, and ECG does not seem to have a solution. We are promoting solar and when people have excess energy and they want to give back to ECG, they don’t seem to have any solution.
“So, we will like you to take it up. In most countries, they all use reverse meters. I don’t understand why Ghana is adamant to the use of reverse meters because if I have excess, I give to ECG. If I am in need, I take from ECG then at the end of the month, a balance is struck and I pay my bill,” he explained.
Mr. Nsiah-Poku further questioned the coherence of government policy, arguing that promoting solar energy without enabling mechanisms such as reverse metering undermines efforts to strengthen the energy sector.
He urged authorities to prioritise the introduction of the reverse metering system to enhance efficiency, support businesses, and maximise the benefits of renewable energy investments.
“Why is it that the Government is promoting solar but is not prepared to take back what the industry can give to ECG to support their operations,” he added.
Reverse metering also known as net metering, is a billing mechanism that allows owners of renewable energy systems (like solar panels) to send excess electricity back to the utility grid.
How reverse metering works
When solar panels or wind turbines generate electricity for homes or business, excess production of the electricity or the surplus is exported to the utility grid.
A bi-directional meter (or a “reverse meter”) then tracks both the energy consumed and the energy exported.
When it’s time for billing; you are billed only for your “net” energy use which is the difference between what you used and what you provided.
