PURC Announces 9.86% Electricity Tariffs, 15.92% Water Tariff Adjustment From 2026

The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has announced a 9.86% and 15.92% upward adjustment in electricity and water tariffs, respectively, in a major Multi-year Tariff Review for the period 2026 to 2030.

In a statement, it said that the adjustments follow a just-ended investment hearings of submitted utility tariff proposals, stakeholder consultations and regional public hearings which were undertaken by the Commission.

The PURC noted that the regulated asset base of the utilities was evaluated for the period 2026 to 2030, to allow the utilities to meet their asset investment requirements.

The tariffs will take effect January 1, 2026, and in accordance with sections 3, 16, 17, 18, 20 and 21 of the PURC Act, 1997, Act 538.

“The last major review, which considered both capital expenses (CAPE) and Operational expenses (OPEX), was undertaken in September 2022 and is due for review in 2025,” it stated, adding that this review is separate from the quarterly reviews, which consider only operational expenses (OPEX), which are beyond the control of the service provider.

Meanwhile, it noted that there shall be quarterly reviews of these rates, adjusting for factors beyond the control of the utility service providers.

These factors are the Ghana Cedi, US Dollar exchange rate, Ghana’s inflation rate, generation mix between hydro and thermal, as well as the cost of fuel, which is mainly natural gas, adjusted using the weighted average cost of gas (WACoG).

“These quarterly reviews will be undertaken to maintain the real value of the tariffs, thereby keeping the utility service providers financially viable to undertake their operations while protecting the interests of consumers.”

Story by Hajara Fuseini

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