By Philip Tengzu
Wa (U/WR), Aug. 13, GNA – The Energy Commission has engaged hotel owners and managers in the Upper West Region on energy efficiency measures aimed at promoting prudent energy use, reducing electricity consumption, and lowering operational costs in the hospitality sector.
The engagement introduced participants to the new Energy Efficiency Regulation and provided practical training on energy conservation measures that could improve operational efficiency in their facilities.
The programme formed part of the Commission’s broader efforts to promote energy efficiency and conservation among businesses and institutions across the country, particularly within the hospitality industry.
Speaking at the training workshop in Wa, Mr Hubert Nsoh Zan, Manager of Energy Efficiency Regulations at the Energy Commission, said although Ghana’s hospitality industry continued to expand, many hotel operators faced rising electricity costs.
He attributed the situation partly to the types of appliances and equipment installed in hotel facilities, as well as inadequate energy management and conservation practices.
Mr Zan explained that the training was therefore designed to equip hotel operators with the knowledge and tools needed to monitor electricity consumption and identify opportunities to reduce energy costs.
“The idea of carrying out this exercise is not just to benefit the hotel owners, but also to look at the bigger picture, which is the wastage of electricity in the country,” Mr Zan stated.
He noted that if large electricity consumers such as hotels reduced their energy consumption, it would lessen the demand for power generation and help reduce the overall cost of energy production.
Mr Zan encouraged participants to consider energy efficiency ratings when purchasing appliances and equipment rather than focusing solely on their purchase prices.
He also advised hotel operators to engage qualified electricians in electrical installations to ensure safety, compliance, and efficient use of electricity.
Mr Richard Donkor, Manager of Energy Efficiency Regulation at the Energy Commission, urged participants to appoint or engage energy managers to monitor consumption levels and provide technical guidance on energy-related matters within their facilities.
He demonstrated how informed purchasing decisions based on the energy consumption rates of appliances could significantly reduce electricity bills over time compared with decisions based solely on initial cost.
Officials of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) also educated participants on the PURC Tariff Reckoner and its role in helping consumers better understand electricity consumption and billing.
Mr Ali Abdul Wadud, Upper West Regional Manager of the PURC, encouraged participants to utilise the PURC mobile application to track and manage their energy consumption more effectively.
Mr Stephen Mwinkaara, Chairman of the Upper West Regional Branch of the Ghana Hotels Association, described the engagement as timely and beneficial, noting that electricity constituted one of the highest operational costs in the hotel industry.
He said the workshop had exposed participants to practical energy-saving opportunities that could help reduce operational expenses and improve profitability.
Mr Mwinkaara, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Nuoyong Empire Hotel, said the Association would share the knowledge acquired with members who were unable to attend the training.
He further called for greater attention to renewable energy solutions, particularly solar power, as a means of reducing the hospitality industry’s dependence on the national electricity grid.
GNA
Edited by Lydia Kukua Asamoah
Reporter: Philip Tengzu
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