The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has announced an upward review of electricity and water tariffs by 3.49% and 0.85% respectively for the third quarter of 2026, effective July 1, 2026.
The adjustments, the Commission said, are in line with its quarterly tariff review mechanism designed to reflect changes in key operational factors beyond the control of utility service providers.
These include the exchange rate, domestic inflation, electricity generation mix, and the cost of natural gas for thermal power generation.
“These Quarterly reviews track and incorporate movements in key operational factors, which are beyond the control of the Utility Service Providers (USPs), but key in operating the services offered. These operational factors are the exchange rate between the Ghana Cedi (GHS) and the United States Dollar (US$), domestic inflation rate, electricity generation mix, and the cost of fuel mainly natural gas to power the thermal plants,” the PURC explained in a statement signed by the Executive Secretary, Shafic Suleman.
The statement contimued that the commission applied a weighted average exchange rate of GHS 11.2228 to the US dollar, representing a marginal 0.2% depreciation from the previous quarter.
Inflation for the period averaged 3.43%, down from 4.17% in Q2, while the Weighted Average Cost of Gas (WACOG) declined to USD 7.9708/MMBtu from USD 8.0988/MMBtu. The hydro-thermal generation mix remained unchanged at 20.90% hydro and 79.10% thermal.
All electricity customer categories will see a uniform 3.49% increase in energy charges, with service charges remaining unchanged.
According to the statement, Lifeline customers (0-30 kWh) will have their rate raised from GHp 86.9000/kWh to GHp 89.9315/kWh while Residential (0-300 kWh) will have their rate raised from GHp 196.8825/kWh to GHp 203.7509/kWh.
Non-residential and Special Load Tariff (SLT) customers will have similar increase across-the-board 3.49% adjustment on energy charges, with service charges for SLT customers fixed at GHp 50,000.00 per month.
Water tariffs have a 0.85% upward adjustment. This means that residential lifeline consumers (0-5m³) will now pay GHp 598.5381/m³ (up from GHp 593.49/m³), while other categories such as commercial, industrial, and public institutions also reflect the same percentage increase.
Service charges across water categories remain unchanged.
The PURC emphasised that the adjustments are necessary “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, while bearing in mind the impact of these tariffs on the wellbeing of consumers in general.”
“The Commission is once more grateful to all its stakeholders for their support in implementing these Quarterly Tariff Reviews per its Rate Setting Guidelines to address changes in operational conditions of the service providers. 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.”
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
