The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has approved new utility tariffs, announcing an increase in both electricity and water charges that will take effect from July 1, 2026.
Under its latest quarterly review, the Commission has raised electricity tariffs by 3.49 per cent across all customer categories, while water tariffs have gone up by 0.85 per cent for all users, including residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional consumers.
The regulator explained that the adjustments form part of its routine quarterly tariff assessment process, which is designed to reflect changes in key economic and operational indicators affecting utility providers.
According to PURC, factors considered in the review included movements in the cedi-to-dollar exchange rate, prevailing inflation levels, the structure of electricity generation between hydro and thermal sources, and the cost of natural gas used in power production.
For the third quarter of 2026, the Commission applied an average exchange rate of GHS11.2228 to the US dollar, representing a slight depreciation of the local currency compared to the previous quarter. Inflation averaged 3.43 per cent over the period, while the cost of natural gas used for power generation recorded a modest decline.
The generation mix remained largely unchanged, with thermal sources accounting for 79.1 per cent and hydro contributing 20.9 per cent to total power supply.
Based on these conditions, PURC determined that electricity tariffs should be adjusted upward, affecting residential users, non-residential customers, and special load tariff consumers.
As part of the new rates, lifeline residential electricity consumers—those who use up to 30 kilowatt-hours per month—will now pay slightly more per unit, moving from 86.9 pesewas to 89.93 pesewas per kilowatt-hour.
Water consumers will also see marginal increases. The lifeline category for households using up to five cubic metres per month has been revised upward, with the rate increasing from 593.49 pesewas to 598.54 pesewas per cubic metre.
The Commission stressed that the quarterly review mechanism is intended to ensure utility providers remain financially sustainable while continuing to deliver reliable services. It added that it will continue to monitor the performance of service providers and enforce regulatory standards to safeguard value for money for consumers.
The new tariffs are expected to be published in the official gazette and on the PURC website ahead of implementation.
