The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has announced new tariffs for electricity and water for the third quarter of 2024, effective from October 1.
The tariff for electricity has been increased by 3.02 per cent and that of water goes up by 1.86 per cent.
A statement issued by PURC to The Ghanaian Times, on September 28, explained that the adjustment was due to factors such as inflation, exchange rate fluctuations and price of LPG gas.
The commission said that Ghana’s current economic challenges and the prevailing living conditions were carefully considered in arriving at the decision.
According to the statement the tariff increase would affect all categories of consumers.
“Following the quarterly tariff review, the Commission wishes to inform the public that there will be a 3.02 per cent increment in electricity tariffs and a 1.86 per cent increment in water tariffs for the Third Quarter of 2024 for all categories of customers.
“The Commission’s decision is based on changes in some key parameters, such as inflation rate, exchange rate, and the Weighted Average Cost of Gas (WACOG) over the projected Third Quarter,” the statement indicated.
It stressed that the PURC also considered several other underlying factors, including the current economic conditions and general living standards of Ghanaians, and the competitiveness and sustainability of industries.
The PURC recalled that there was 3.45 per cent increment in electricity tariffs in the second quarter of this year, which took effect from July 1, to September 30, 2024, with effective lifeline consumers (0-30kWh), a 5.84 per cent increment for all other residential consumers, who were not part of the lifeline category bracket (31 kWh and above), as well as the non-residential category.
“Having considered all the underlying factors, the Commission wishes to announce that there will be 3.45 per cent increase in electricity tariffs for lifeline consumers (0-30kWh); 5.84 per cent increase for all other residential consumers who are not part of the lifeline category bracket (31 kWh and above) as well as the non-residential category,” it stated.
BY TIMES REPORTER