PURC Sets New 2026 Tariffs: Electricity to Rise 9.86% and Water 15.92% From January 1
Accra, Ghana —The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has announced new tariff adjustments for electricity and water, set to take effect on January 1, 2026, following the completion of its 2026–2030 Multi-Year Tariff Review (MYTO). The review, which marks the first major reassessment since 2022, introduces a 9.86% increase in electricity tariffs across all customer categories and a 15.92% rise in water tariffs over the next regulatory period.
According to the Commission, the decision followed months of investment hearings, stakeholder consultations, and regional public forums, designed to ensure transparency and input from both utilities and consumers. “The 2026–2030 tariff framework reflects the need to sustain reliable service delivery while maintaining fairness to consumers,” the PURC stated in its official release.
The PURC explained that the tariff adjustments were driven by macroeconomic and sectoral variables, including inflation, exchange rate volatility, and rising input costs such as natural gas. The Commission said these parameters reflect the realistic cost structure of utility providers, ensuring they can maintain operations, meet debt obligations, and expand critical infrastructure projects over the next five years.
While the 2026–2030 tariffs establish a medium-term baseline, the PURC confirmed that quarterly reviews will remain in place to address fluctuating variables such as global fuel prices, foreign exchange movements, and shifts in generation mix. “Quarterly reviews will continue to ensure that neither consumers nor utilities bear disproportionate risks from factors beyond their control,” the Commission noted.
The Commission acknowledged that the tariff increases may heighten cost-of-living concerns among consumers, but emphasized that the adjustments are vital to preserve service reliability and ensure continued investments in Ghana’s electricity and water sectors.
The 2026–2030 restructuring, the PURC stated, is part of a long-term sustainability strategy aimed at reducing power losses, improving infrastructure, and guaranteeing the financial viability of state-regulated utility companies such as the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL), and GRIDCo.
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Irene Anim is a news reporter and writer with DM Media Group