The Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Volta River Authority (VRA), oversees electricity distribution in northern Ghana. Its operations span about 64% of Ghana’s geographical area, serving as the sole distributor of electricity in the Upper East, Upper West, North East, Savannah, Northern, Bono, Bono East, Ahafo, and parts of the Oti, Ashanti, and Western North regions.
As of December 2023, NEDCo reported a customer population of 1,202,540, representing approximately 19.5% of the national electricity customer base of 6,166,430 at the end of 2024. (Note: NEDCo’s 2024 customer figures were not publicly available at the time of reporting.)
Grid Electricity Purchase, Sales and Losses Incurred by NEDCo (GWh)
Percentage (%) Electricity Distribution Losses
NEDCo’s percentage of distribution losses (both commercial and technical) compared to the total energy purchased in Ghana has increased significantly since 2010. In 2023, the loss percentage was 31.0%, and it increased further to 31.3% in 2024.
NEDCo's Average Electricity Interruption Frequency
System Average Interruption Frequency Index (SAIFI) measures how often a customer experiences power outages within a year. The regulatory benchmark allows for a maximum of six outages annually across metro, urban, and rural areas.
In 2024, NEDCo’s performance fell significantly short of this standard, with all three service areas exceeding the allowable limit. On average, customers experienced 52 outages in metro areas, 40 in urban areas, and 132 in rural areas. These figures reflect a worsening trend compared to 2023, despite ongoing efforts to enhance service reliability. The high frequency of interruptions underscores persistent operational and infrastructural challenges within NEDCo’s distribution network.
NEDCo's Average Electricity Interruption Duration
System Average Interruption Duration Index (SAIDI) measures the average total duration of power outages experienced by customers in a year. The regulatory benchmarks for outage duration are: 48 hours for metro areas, 72 hours for urban areas, and 144 hours for rural areas.
As of the end of 2024, NEDCo recorded an average interruption duration of 70 hours in metro areas, 34 hours in urban areas, and 102 hours in rural areas. While urban and rural areas remained within the permitted limits, metro areas exceeded the regulatory benchmark, indicating a decline in service reliability compared to the previous year.