The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has maintained electricity and water tariffs at their third-quarter levels for the fourth quarter of 2026.
The decision means there will be no adjustment, or a 0% change, in electricity and water tariffs from October 1, 2026.
The PURC said the decision followed its quarterly review of key operational and economic indicators, including the Ghana cedi-US dollar exchange rate, domestic inflation, electricity generation mix and the cost of natural gas used to power thermal plants.
For the fourth quarter, the Commission applied a weighted average exchange rate of GH¢11.5646 to US$1, representing a 3.04% depreciation of the cedi from the third-quarter rate of GH¢11.2228 to US$1.
The average annual inflation rate used in the review was 4.97%, up from 3.43% in the previous quarter, representing an upward adjustment of 44.89%.
However, the weighted average cost of natural gas (WACOG) declined by 1.67%, from US$7.9708 per MMBtu in the third quarter to US$7.8379 per MMBtu in the fourth quarter.
The Commission also projected an increase in hydro generation, with hydro’s share of the generation mix rising from 20.90% in the third quarter to 24.25% in the fourth quarter. Thermal generation is projected to decline from 79.10% to 75.75%.
“Based on the overall impact of the above factors … the Commission arrived at a decision not to adjust Electricity Tariffs for the Fourth Quarter of 2026,” the PURC said.
Under the approved electricity rates, residential customers consuming between 0 and 300 kWh will continue to pay 203.7509 GHp per kWh, while consumption above 301 kWh will remain at 269.2235 GHp per kWh.
Lifeline consumers using up to 30 kWh will continue to pay 89.9315 GHp per kWh, while the monthly service charge remains at GH¢2.13.
Water tariffs have also been maintained at their existing levels.
Residential consumers using up to 5 cubic metres will continue to pay 598.5381 GHp per cubic metre, while consumption above 5 cubic metres remains at 1,058.9413 GHp per cubic metre.
The PURC said the quarterly reviews are intended to maintain the real value of tariffs and support the financial viability of utility providers while considering the impact of tariffs on consumers.
The Commission added that it would continue monitoring the performance of regulated utility providers and hold them accountable to regulatory standards and service quality benchmarks.
