PURC increases electricity and water tariffs effective July 1
The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has announced new electricity and water tariff increases that will take effect from July 1, 2026, under its quarterly tariff adjustment mechanism.
The Commission said electricity tariffs will increase by 3.49 per cent across all customer categories, while water tariffs will rise by 0.85 per cent.
In a statement issued on Monday, June 22, PURC explained that the adjustments were made as part of its routine quarterly review process, which takes into account key economic and operational factors affecting utility service delivery.
According to the Commission, the review considered changes in the cedi to dollar exchange rate, inflation, the electricity generation mix, and the cost of natural gas used for power generation.
PURC stated that the quarterly tariff review mechanism is designed to preserve the real value of tariffs, ensure the financial sustainability of utility providers, and support the continuous delivery of reliable services to consumers.
The Commission said it applied a weighted average exchange rate of GHS11.2228 to one US dollar for the third quarter of 2026, reflecting a 0.2 per cent depreciation of the cedi compared to the previous quarter.
It also considered a three month average inflation rate of 3.43 per cent, down from 4.17 per cent in the second quarter. In addition, the weighted average cost of natural gas fell by 1.58 per cent to USD7.9708 per MMBtu.
The electricity generation mix remained unchanged, comprising 20.9 per cent hydro generation and 79.1 per cent thermal generation.
Based on these indicators, the Commission approved a 3.49 per cent increase in electricity tariffs for residential, non residential, and special load tariff customers.
Under the new rates, the lifeline tariff for residential consumers using up to 30 kilowatt hours per month has increased from 86.9Gp per kilowatt hour to 89.93Gp per kilowatt hour.
Water tariffs have also been revised upward by 0.85 per cent for all customer groups, including residential, commercial, industrial, public institutions, and bulk consumers.
For residential customers consuming up to five cubic metres of water, the lifeline tariff has increased from 593.49Gp per cubic metre to 598.54Gp per cubic metre.
PURC reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring the performance of utility service providers and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards to deliver improved services and value for money to consumers.