Engagements with GRIDCo’s internal stakeholders, [namely; staff of the various departments] on Ghana’s wholesale electricity market (GWEM) goes ongoing.
At the meeting with the host department driving the GWEM engagements, i.e. the System Operations Department, the Director, Ing. Hussaini Adams opened the session underscoring the importance of the GWEM saying “The System Operations Department (SOD) is leading in the transformation of how GRIDCo should manage the electricity market and how it is to operate in the future.” He indicated that GRIDCo has been on a journey of evolution since the power sector reform took effect, with the next phase being the implementation of the competitive electricity Market.
Also in his opening remarks, Ing. Adams urged the SOD team to take the implementation of Ghana’s Wholesale Electricity Market seriously, noting that all staff must be interested and equipped enough to explain the simple concept of the Market to anyone. He stated, “If the SOD team is able to drive this efficiently, we will be included in the history of GRIDCo as the team which contributed immensely to shaping destinies and prosperity.”
In her presentation to the SOD Team, Manager, Market Operations, Ing. Mrs. Linda Baah indicated that the exercise is backed by LI 1937 which mandates the electricity transmission utility (i.e. GRIDCo) to develop the spot electricity market as part of the existing bilateral trade market to fully develop the GWEM. She added that this process is guided by the “Market Rules,” which have since been approved and will soon be published. Ing. Hussaini Adams highlighted the role of GRIDCo in the success of the GWEM, stating that “GRIDCo is to establish the GWEM, run it and improve it ….”
Currently the electricity market in Ghana is under some control, with players committed to bilateral agreements with agreed prices. However, as an effective and efficient Market, it should be self-regulating, driven by the forces of demand and supply. Therefore, the objective of the GWEM is to promote competition, which brings efficiency and is aimed at driving down prices, to the benefit of those who purchase electricity.
During engagements with teams from Corporate Strategy, Legal departments and the Project Implementation Unit Ing. Baah underscored the need for the discussions stating, “As staff, we are expected to understand how our roles contribute to the successful deployment of the GWEM.”
Principal Electrical Engineer, Ing. Obed Essandoh and Principal Electricity Market Analyst, Patrick Yin delivered the two-part presentation, explaining the GWEM process and implementation step by step. They explained the nature of the GWEM platform, how the power market trades in capacity, energy and ancillary services, as well as how market participants will engage, guided by the market rules.
It was emphasised that, all sections have a role to play in the success of the Market. The expectation is that support will be provided around stakeholder engagements, legal guidance, and support for Ghana’s Wholesale Electricity Market.
When fully implemented the GWEM platform will create a competitive trading of electricity, trading capacity, and ancillary services, which will be aided by information and transparency.
The GWEM structure consists of the Bilateral and Spot Markets, which play out only on the established NITS grid. The main deliverables completed in this case are the approval of the Market Design and Market Rules by the Energy Commission, and aspects of the full implementation. Currently pending are the development of manuals, agreement forms, publication of the Market Rules, systems requirements specifications and procurement for a fully functional Market system.
