Paul Marin, Regional Director, USTDA

Accra, Ghana --- (METERING.COM) --- January 8, 2013 - The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) has recently signed two grants to support the development of Ghana’s electricity distribution system.

One of the grants has been signed with the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo). The grant supports technical assistance that will aid NEDCo in the development of its five-year investment plan for its electricity distribution systems. As NEDCo improves its energy operations, the grant will enable it to identify necessary procurements in areas such as demand side management, load management and network operations.

The second grant was signed with the Electricity Company of Ghana Limited (ECG). The grant supports a feasibility study to evaluate the development of an automated electricity distribution system that will fully integrate with ECG's business processes.

“We're pleased to support Ghana's goals in making electricity more accessible and reliable for its citizens,” commented USTDA regional director Paul Marin. “Both development projects will also help open the market for U.S. electricity distribution technologies, as well as build relationships between U.S. industry and Ghana's leading electricity companies.”

An RFP for the feasibility study will be posted on the Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) website.

The grants form part of USTDA's Africa Clean Energy Solutions Initiative, which was introduced in 2010 to assist in the development of clean and sustainable sources of energy.