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A designated toll-free short-code number to enable the public send instantaneous complaints about power outages by SMS text message is in the works, the Energy Commission (EC) has revealed. Mr. Oscar Amonoo-Neizer, Head of the EC�s Technical Regulation Division, told B&FT that the short-code number, which shall be accessible to customers on all telecommunication networks in the country, will enable the EC to obtain first-hand information on the reliability of service providers in the electricity supply industry. �The toll-free number, when it comes into force, will enable users to text the moment they experience power-cuts and also text back the moment power is restored -- and that will enable the EC and PURC ascertain claims by the power providers of improvement in their services,� the Executive Secretary of the EC Dr. Ofosu Ahenkorah explained. �This could also allow consumers to take on the service-providers legally, could they prove for instance that their appliances or equipment had been damaged by erratic and shoddy power supply,� he added. The EC, in exercising its mandate under the law, has taken several measures both to educate consumers as well as enforce legislation on the reliability of electricity supply and the application for new service among others. Both domestic and industrial consumers have in recent months been demanding the upgrading of the quality of electricity, as well as its delivery, to match recent tariff hikes which have exceeded 50 percent in just a little over a year. In June 2010, the Public Utility Regulatory Commission (PURC) approved an average increase of 89 percent in the electricity tariff, which was however whittled down to just below 50 percent following protestations by organised labour and industrial users. The PURC in August this year announced an average of increase of 6.7 percent in power tariffs to compensate for high crude prices exceeding US$90 per barrel. Crude oil is largely used in thermal generation which currently accounts for over 35 percent of Ghana�s electric energy supplies. Earlier requests, at the beginning of the year, for an upward tariff adjustment by the power providers were rejected by the PURC on the grounds that quality of energy deliveries were not matching up to tariff hikes. Amonoo-Neizer disclosed that with regard to interruption of supplies, which is a major concern of customers, the cumulative hours of disruption within one year should not exceed 48 hours in municipal or industrial areas, 72 hours in a district capital, and 144 hours in a rural area. Over one year, too, power outages - apparently to allow for the maintenance of the supply systems - should not be more than six times, and of not more than eight hours for a single period of outage in municipal and industrial areas, 12 hours in a district capital, and 24 hours in a rural area. Additionally, in the pursuit of reliability of power supply, restoration of supply when faults occur must be within eight hours for minor faults and 80 hours for major faults, within municipal and industrial area. For district capitals, supply must be restored within 12 hours for minor faults and 120 hours for major faults, while for rural areas it must not exceed 24 hours for minor faults and 240 hours for major faults. Amonoo-Neizer explained that regarding metering, priority should be accorded customers with an estimated consumption rate of above 300 kWh per month and requests for new meters should be addressed within six months. Requests for separates meters for households that share a common meter with usage exceeding 400kWh per month is to be addressed within five working days on receipt of request, for the provision of estimates. Installation of a meter should be effected within five working days after payment of installation charges. With regard to the recent exercise of rolling-out pre-paid meters, Amonoo-Neizer explained that service providers are obligated to provide credit vending-points within 10km distance and vending points must be open for a minimum of eight hours each day of the week.