Ghanaian consumers are set to face higher electricity and water bills from July 1, 2026, following the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) ‘s approval of upward adjustments to utility tariffs for the third quarter of the year.
The Commission announced that electricity tariffs will increase by 3.49 per cent across all customer categories, while water tariffs will go up by 0.85 per cent, as part of its quarterly review mechanism.
According to PURC, the adjustment is influenced by key economic indicators, including exchange rate movements, domestic inflation trends, the electricity generation mix, and the cost of natural gas used in thermal power production.
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The Commission explained that the review aims to preserve the real value of tariffs while ensuring utility service providers remain financially viable to sustain reliable service delivery.
A weighted-average exchange rate of GHS11.2228 per US dollar was applied for the review period, reflecting a marginal 0.2 per cent depreciation of the cedi. Inflation averaged 3.43 per cent, while the cost of natural gas declined slightly to USD7.9708 per MMBtu. The hydro-thermal generation mix remained unchanged at 20.9 per cent hydro and 79.1 per cent thermal.
Under the revised structure, lifeline electricity consumers using up to 30 kilowatt-hours per month will now pay 89.93Gp per kilowatt-hour, up from 86.9Gp. Water lifeline users consuming up to five cubic metres will also see an increase from 593.49Gp to 598.54Gp per cubic metre.
PURC maintains that service charges remain unchanged, and it will continue to monitor utility providers to ensure compliance, accountability, and value for money in service delivery. The new tariffs will be officially published in the government gazette and on the Commission’s website.