The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has announced a zero per cent adjustment to electricity and water tariffs for the fourth quarter of 2026, meaning the rates approved for the third quarter will remain unchanged. The existing tariffs will take effect from October 1, 2026, following the commission’s quarterly review, which assesses developments in key economic and operational factors affecting utility pricing.
Among the factors considered were the Ghana cedi-US dollar exchange rate, inflation, the cost of natural gas, and the electricity generation mix. During the review period, the cedi depreciated by 3.04 per cent, while the weighted average cost of natural gas fell by 1.67 per cent. PURC announced the decision on September 24 in a statement signed by its Executive Secretary, Dr Shafic Suleman.
The commission said: “PURC wishes to inform consumers of electricity and water that the existing electricity and water tariffs for the third quarter have not changed and will remain the same in the fourth quarter.”
Factors underpin tariff decision
The PURC said the average annual inflation rate used for the fourth quarter stood at 4.97 per cent, representing a 44.89 per cent increase from the 3.43 per cent recorded in the previous quarter. The commission also applied a weighted average Ghana cedi-US dollar exchange rate of GH¢11.5646 to US$7.8379 per MMBtu, reflecting a 1.67 per cent decline from the US$7.9708 per MMBtu recorded in the third quarter.
According to the PURC, the projected share of hydro generation in the electricity mix is expected to rise from 20.90 per cent to 24.25 per cent, while the contribution from thermal generation is projected to fall from 79.10 per cent to 75.75 per cent.
PURC monitors service quality
The PURC said the combined effects of the hydro-thermal generation mix, exchange rate, inflation and natural gas prices informed its decision to keep electricity tariffs unchanged. The commission also maintained water tariffs at their third-quarter levels for the fourth quarter of 2026.
According to the PURC, the quarterly tariff reviews are designed to reflect changes in operational factors beyond the control of utility service providers while ensuring that the providers remain financially viable. The commission added that it would continue to monitor the operations of regulated service providers and enforce compliance with regulatory standards and benchmarks to promote value for money and improve the quality of service delivery.
Quarterly reviews
The PURC said the quarterly tariff reviews were also aimed at preserving the real value of existing tariffs while ensuring that utility service providers remained financially sustainable. The commission noted that the reviews considered the effect of tariff levels on consumers’ welfare, while also ensuring that service providers had sufficient resources to deliver reliable and quality services.
The PURC expressed appreciation to stakeholders for their support in implementing the quarterly tariff reviews, which it said helped address changes in operational factors beyond the control of utility providers. It further urged regulated service providers to comply with its regulatory standards and benchmarks to promote value for money and improve the quality of service delivery.
