Energy sector levies shoots up electricity price hikes from 59.2% to 75%

A directive by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) to retailers of electricity to charge additional costs to consumers have shot up the percentage increase from 59.2% to 75%.

The additional costs include a 5% rate for street light levy and another 5% levy for the national electrification charge, charged on consumers.

In addition, consumers pay a regular monthly service fee ranging from GHc6.33 to about GHc60 depending on the quantum of consumption and user classification.

The charges according to the PURC are in accordance with the recently introduced Energy Sector Levies Act 2015 (Act 899).

Per the new directive, a GHC20 power would cost the consumer GHC35.

General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) has described the developed as unfortunate.

TUC and other Labour Organisation have been agitating the price increases.

Government is negotiating with the workers after a nationwide demonstration Wednesday.

Kofi Asamoah says, Labour’s “engagements have been on the 59%, not knowing that some more had been smuggled down to increase it to the level it’s at now.

“There is a limit to what we can contain. It is important that people don’t take us for a ride.”