ELECTRICITY TARIFFS TO RISE BY 9.86%, WATER BY 15.92% FROM JANUARY 2026 – PURC
The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission has announced new rates for electricity and water, effective January 1, 2026, as part of a five-year tariff plan aimed at covering rising operational costs and supporting infrastructure investment.
The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has approved significant increases in utility tariffs, with electricity prices rising by 9.86% and water tariffs by 15.92% for all customer categories, effective January 1, 2026.
The new rates, which will remain in effect until 2030 under the Multi-year Tariff Review Order (MYTO) framework, follow extensive stakeholder consultations and public hearings. The adjustments are intended to reflect current macroeconomic conditions, changes in the energy generation mix, and the need for continued investment in utility infrastructure.
Key factors influencing the electricity tariff review include a shift in the generation mix, with thermal power now accounting for 78.79% of production and hydroelectric power reduced to 20.90%. The approved exchange rate for the tariff period is GH¢12.0067 to the US dollar, with an inflation rate set at 8.00%.
The PURC also introduced a new policy to account for the cost of providing electricity to island communities via mini-grids, supporting the national goal of universal electricity access.
Tariffs will be subject to quarterly adjustments based on variables such as the Ghana Cedi-US Dollar exchange rate, inflation, and the weighted average cost of gas (WACOG), factors considered beyond the direct control of utility providers.
The Commission emphasized that the review balances the financial sustainability of utility companies with the need to protect consumers and maintain industrial competitiveness.
Source:NKONKONSA.com
