The New water and electricity tariffs announced by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) will take effect today, Thursday, January 1, 2026, following the Commission’s latest major tariff review.
Under the new structure, electricity tariffs have been increased by 9.86 per cent across all customer categories, while water tariffs have been adjusted upward by 15.92 per cent for all consumer classes.
The adjustments form part of a major tariff review that will remain in force over a five-year period from 2026 to 2030, in line with the PURC’s Multi-Year Tariff Review Order (MYTO) framework. The MYTO regime is designed to provide predictability in utility pricing while ensuring the financial sustainability of service providers.
According to the PURC, the decision followed extensive investment hearings, stakeholder engagements, and regional public hearings across the country. The Commission said the review took into account the investment needs of utility providers, the competitiveness of local industries, and the general living conditions of consumers.
Factors influencing the review
The PURC explained that the new tariffs were influenced by significant changes in key macroeconomic indicators and developments in the utility generation mix. For electricity, the approved parameters for the 2026–2030 MYTO period include a shift in the generation mix, with thermal power accounting for 78.79 per cent, while hydro generation declines to 20.90 per cent.
The Commission also approved an exchange rate of GH¢12.0067 to the US dollar for the period, with inflation set at 8.00 per cent.
The PURC noted that the tariffs will be subject to quarterly reviews to allow for adjustments arising from factors beyond the control of utility providers. These include fluctuations in the Ghana cedi–US dollar exchange rate, changes in local inflation, and variations in the weighted average cost of gas (WACOG).
In addition, the Commission announced a new policy decision to incorporate the cost of supplying electricity to island and remote communities through mini-grid systems, as part of efforts to promote universal access to electricity nationwide.
The PURC said the tariff adjustments are intended to balance consumer protection with the need to ensure reliable and sustainable utility services across the country.
