The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has announced that electricity and water tariffs will remain unchanged for the fourth quarter of 2026.
The Commission said the tariffs currently in effect for the third quarter will continue at the same rates, representing a 0 per cent adjustment, effective October 1, 2026.
The decision follows PURC’s quarterly tariff review, which assesses key economic and operational factors that influence the cost of providing utility services.
According to the Commission, the reviews are intended to preserve the real value of existing tariffs, support the financial sustainability of utility providers and safeguard consumer welfare.
For the fourth quarter, PURC considered factors including the Ghana cedi-US dollar exchange rate, domestic inflation, the electricity generation mix and fuel costs, particularly the cost of natural gas used to power thermal plants.
The Commission applied a weighted average exchange rate of GH¢11.5646 to US$1, compared with GH¢11.2228 to US$1 in the third quarter. This represents a 3.04 per cent depreciation of the cedi against the US dollar based on the rates used for the two quarters.
PURC also applied an average annual inflation rate of 4.97 per cent, up from 3.43 per cent in the previous quarter.
The weighted average cost of natural gas was set at US$7.8379 per million British thermal units (MMBtu), representing a 1.67 per cent decline from US$7.9708/MMBtu in the third quarter.
On electricity generation, the Commission projected an increase in hydro generation from 20.90 per cent in the third quarter to 24.25 per cent in the fourth quarter.
Thermal generation, meanwhile, is projected to decline from 79.10 per cent to 75.75 per cent over the same period.
PURC said the combined effect of the generation mix, exchange rate, inflation and natural gas prices did not warrant any adjustment to electricity tariffs for the fourth quarter.
As a result, all customer categories will continue to pay the rates that have been in effect since the third quarter. These include residential lifeline, other residential, non-residential and special load tariff customers.
Water tariffs unchanged
Water tariffs will also remain unchanged throughout the fourth quarter of 2026.
The existing rates will continue to apply to residential and non-residential customers, as well as commercial users, sachet and bottled water producers, drinks manufacturers, industrial users, public institutions, public standpipes, ports and harbours and bulk supply customers.
PURC said it would continue monitoring regulated utility providers to ensure compliance with regulatory standards and performance benchmarks.
The Commission said the monitoring would help promote value for money and improvements in the quality of services delivered to consumers.
PURC added that the decision would be published in the Gazette in due course and made available on its website.
