PURC keeps electricity, water tariffs unchanged for fourth quarter

The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has maintained electricity and water tariffs at their third-quarter levels for the fourth quarter of 2026.

The unchanged tariffs will take effect from October 1, and remain in force for the quarter.

The decision means consumers will not face an increase in electricity or water tariffs despite changes in some of the key economic and operational factors considered by the Commission.

“The existing electricity and water tariffs of the third Quarter have not changed (0%), but remain same in the fourth Quarter,” the PURC said in its tariff review decision issued on Thursday, September 24.

The Commission said it considered the Ghana cedi-US dollar exchange rate, domestic inflation, electricity generation mix and the cost of fuel, particularly natural gas used to power thermal plants.

For the fourth quarter, the PURC applied a weighted average exchange rate of GH¢11.5646 to US$1, representing a 3.04% depreciation of the cedi from the third-quarter rate of GH¢11.2228 to US$1.

It also applied an average annual inflation rate of 4.97%, up from 3.43% in the previous quarter, while the weighted average cost of natural gas fell from US$7.9708/MMBtu to US$7.8379/MMBtu.

The Commission further projected an increase in hydro generation from 20.90% in the third quarter to 24.25% in the fourth quarter, while the thermal generation share is expected to decline from 79.10% to 75.75%.

According to the PURC, the combined effect of these factors resulted in a decision not to adjust electricity tariffs for the fourth quarter.

“The overall impact of the above factors of Hydro-Thermal Generation Mix, Ghana Cedi-US Dollar Exchange Rate, Inflation Rate, and Natural Gas Price, on electricity tariff determination led the Commission to arrive at a decision not to adjust Electricity Tariffs for the Fourth Quarter of 2026,” it said.

The PURC said its quarterly reviews are intended to preserve the real value of utility tariffs and support the financial viability of service providers while taking into account the impact of tariffs on consumers.

It added that it would continue to monitor the operations of regulated utility providers and hold them accountable to regulatory standards and benchmarks to ensure improved service delivery.