Electricity and water tariffs rise by 5.8% and 5.1% following PURC adjustment

The cost of electricity and water has increased by 5.8% and 5.1%, respectively, after a tariff adjustment approved by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC).

This revision, effective Monday, impacts residential users and stems from a combination of factors, including cedi depreciation, inflation, fuel costs, and the electricity generation mix.

In a statement issued on May 31, the PURC detailed that lifeline consumers, using 0-30 kWh, will face a 3.45% hike in electricity tariffs.

Meanwhile, other residential consumers, those consuming 31 kWh and above, along with non-residential users, will see a 5.84% increase. The industrial sector is set to experience a 4.92% rise in electricity tariffs.

The statement, signed by PURC’s Executive Secretary Ishmael Ackah, clarified that these reviews are part of the Commission’s Quarterly Tariff Review Mechanism.

This mechanism tracks and incorporates changes in key uncontrollable factors, including the exchange rate between the US dollar and the Ghanaian cedi, domestic inflation rates, the electricity generation mix, and the cost of fuel, particularly natural gas.

The Commission noted that it also considered the competitiveness of industries and the general living conditions of Ghanaians in making these adjustment

Source: Norvanreports