Consumers in Ghana will see higher electricity and water bills from July 1, 2026, following an upward review of utility tariffs announced by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC).
The decision comes as part of the Commission’s third-quarter tariff review, with electricity rates rising by 3.49 percent across the board and water tariffs increasing by 0.85 percent.
In a statement issued on Monday, June 22, the PURC explained that the adjustments are part of its mandate to conduct quarterly reviews, ensuring that tariffs reflect changes in key operational factors affecting utility providers. The latest review took into account fluctuations in the cedi-dollar exchange rate, inflation, the electricity generation mix, and the cost of natural gas used for power production.
To determine the new tariffs, PURC applied a weighted average exchange rate of GHS11.2228 to one US dollar for the third quarter of 2026, reflecting a slight 0.2 percent depreciation of the cedi compared to the previous period. The Commission also cited a three-month average inflation rate of 3.43 percent, down from 4.17 percent in the second quarter, and a 1.58 percent drop in the average cost of natural gas, now at USD7.9708 per MMBtu. The hydro-thermal generation mix remained unchanged, with 20.9 percent of electricity generated from hydro sources and 79.1 percent from thermal plants.
Based on these indicators, PURC approved a 3.49 percent increase in electricity tariffs for all residential, non-residential, and special load customers. For residential users, the lifeline tariff for those consuming up to 30 kilowatt-hours per month will rise from 86.9Gp to 89.93Gp per kilowatt-hour. Water tariffs will also go up by 0.85 percent for all categories of customers, including residential, commercial, industrial, public institutions, and bulk users. The residential lifeline tariff for water consumption up to five cubic metres will increase from 593.49Gp to 598.54Gp per cubic metre.
PURC said the quarterly adjustments are designed to maintain the real value of tariffs and ensure the financial viability of utility providers, allowing them to continue delivering reliable services. The Commission emphasized its commitment to monitoring service providers’ performance and enforcing regulatory standards to guarantee value for money and improved service delivery.
The PURC expressed gratitude to stakeholders for their ongoing support and noted that details of the new tariffs will be published in the Gazette and on the Commission’s website.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com