PURC freezes electricity and water tariffs for October to December 2026

Pinned summary · as of 06:44

Households and businesses will pay the same for electricity and water from 1 October, after the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) decided against any change to rates for the last three months of 2026. The regulator announced the zero per cent adjustment in a statement dated 24 September.

What we know

• PURC has left electricity and water tariffs untouched for the final quarter of 2026. The rates set for July to September carry over from 1 October, a zero per cent adjustment.
• According to PURC, four inputs shaped the review: how the cedi is trading against the dollar, price growth across the economy, the split between hydro and thermal power, and what gas costs the thermal plants.
• For the exchange rate, the regulator assumed GH₵11.5646 to US$1, against GH₵11.2228 in the previous quarter. PURC describes the gap as a 3.04% weakening of the cedi.
• On price growth, PURC worked with a yearly average of 4.97%, which is higher than the 3.43% it used last time.
• PURC also assumed a cheaper gas price for the quarter: US$7.8379 per MMBtu, which is 1.67% below the US$7.9708 used at the previous review.
• PURC expects hydropower to supply 24.25% of generation between October and December, compared with 20.90% in the preceding three months, while the thermal share is projected to shrink from 79.10% to 75.75%.
• The freeze comes after the July round of changes, which lifted electricity tariffs 3.49% and water tariffs 0.85%.

What's disputed / unconfirmed

• ?
  Opemsuo 104.7 published different gas and generation numbers from the other reports: a gas price of USD7.8739/MMBtu (down 1.07% from USD7.9798), and hydro moving from 20.99% to 24.35% with thermal at 79.01% before falling to 75.75%. The figures differ from those given elsewhere, so they are not treated as settled.
• ?
  Kumasi Mail listed the rates that stay in force, including 89.9315 pesewas per kWh for lifeline electricity users (up to 30 kWh) and 598.5381 pesewas per cubic metre for lifeline water users. These individual rates appear in only one report and have not been cross-checked.
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  Rainbow Radio Online quoted Dr Eric Obutey, PURC's Head of Research, as saying a static tariff was the most equitable choice for all parties, and that steady fuel costs and exchange rates let the regulator absorb cost pressure without loading it onto the public. Other reports have not carried these remarks.
• ?
  The Vaultz News reported that Ghana Statistical Service data put August year-on-year inflation for the housing, utilities and fuels division at 11.6%, that headline inflation reached 5.0% that month, and that public transport fares are due to rise by 8% from 26 September. None of this has been reported elsewhere.
• ?
  The Vaultz News also offered its own analysis, saying the freeze does not remove inflation risk, and that manufacturers are worried about power bills and billing changes for some bulk customers. These are the publication's assessments and have not been confirmed by others.

Why it matters for Ghana

For families in Accra, Kumasi, Tamale and elsewhere, monthly electricity and water bills will not rise because of a tariff change before the year ends. Shops, workshops and factories that depend on power also avoid a new regulated increase in their running costs. The picture is mixed, though, because PURC's own inputs show a weaker cedi and higher inflation, both pressures that regulators weigh at each quarterly review.