The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has announced an upward review of electricity and water tariffs, set to take effect from July 1, 2026.
Under the new directive, electricity tariffs will rise by 3.49 per cent across the board, while water tariffs will see a marginal increase of 0.85 per cent.
According to the regulatory body, the quarterly adjustments are essential to track and incorporate shifting operational factors that fall outside the control of utility service providers.
These variables include the domestic inflation rate, the electricity generation mix, the cost of natural gas, and the exchange rate between the Ghana Cedi and the US Dollar.
In a statement explaining the decision, the Commission noted that the measures are vital to safeguard the financial viability of service providers while ensuring stable delivery.
“These Quarterly adjustments are undertaken by the Commission to maintain the real value of the existing tariffs, which would enable the utility service providers to remain financially viable and to deliver on their services to consumers,” the PURC stated. The regulator added that the decision was finalised “while bearing in mind the impact of these tariffs on the wellbeing of consumers in general.”
A review of the underlying metrics revealed a 0.2 per cent depreciation of the Ghana Cedi against the US Dollar, moving to a weighted average exchange rate of GHS 11.2228.
The average inflation rate saw a downward shift to 3.43 per cent, and the weighted average cost of natural gas dropped by 1.58 per cent to USD 7.9708 per MMBtu.
The nation’s electricity generation mix remained unchanged, relying on 20.90 per cent hydro and 79.10 per cent thermal power.
Under the revised electricity billing structure, residential lifeline consumers using up to 30 kWh will see their energy charge move from 86.9000 GHp/kWh to 89.9315 GHp/kWh, though the monthly service charge remains frozen at 213.0000 GHp.
For water consumers, the residential lifeline tariff for those utilising up to five cubic metres will adjust from 593.49 GHp/m³ to 598.5381 GHp/m³. Across both sectors, standard monthly service charges for all consumer categories have been maintained at their current rates without any increase.
Expressing appreciation to stakeholders for their ongoing cooperation, the Commission reaffirmed its commitment to keeping a close eye on utility operations.
“The Commission will continue to monitor operations of the regulated service providers and to hold them accountable to its regulatory standards and benchmarks to ensure value for money and improved quality of service delivery,” the statement concluded.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana