Consumers of electricity and water will pay the same tariffs in the fourth quarter of 2026 after the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) maintained the existing rates at 0% change.
The decision means the electricity and water tariffs applicable in the third quarter will remain unchanged from October 1, 2026, according to PURC’s fourth-quarter tariff review decision issued on September 24.
PURC said the quarterly review is part of its mandate to adjust utility tariffs in response to changes in key economic and operational factors.
However, following its assessment, the Commission determined that there would be no change in the existing electricity and water tariffs for the fourth quarter.
“The existing electricity and water tariffs of the Third Quarter have not changed (0%), but remain same in the Fourth Quarter,” PURC said.
The Commission explained that its quarterly reviews are intended to maintain the real value of utility tariffs while ensuring that service providers remain financially viable and capable of delivering reliable services.
PURC said the review takes into account factors including the Ghana cedi-to-US dollar exchange rate, domestic inflation, electricity generation mix and the cost of fuel, particularly natural gas used to power thermal plants.
For the fourth quarter, PURC applied a weighted average exchange rate of GH¢11.5646 to US$1, compared with GH¢11.2228 to US$1 in the third quarter. This represents a 3.04% depreciation of the Ghana cedi against the US dollar.
The Commission also applied an average annual inflation rate of 4.97%, up from the previous quarter’s 3.43%.
Despite the increases in the exchange rate and inflation, the cost of natural gas used for power generation declined.
PURC applied a weighted average cost of gas of US$7.8379 per MMBtu, representing a 1.67% reduction from the previous quarter’s US$7.9708 per MMBtu.
The electricity generation mix also shifted in favour of hydro power.
Projected hydro generation increased from 20.90% in the third quarter to 24.25% in the fourth quarter, representing an increase of approximately 16.03%.
At the same time, projected thermal generation declined from 79.10% to 75.75%, a reduction of approximately 4.24%.
PURC said these factors formed part of the considerations behind its fourth-quarter decision.
The unchanged tariffs will take effect on October 1, 2026, and remain applicable throughout the fourth quarter.
