A 1.14 percent increase in power rates for all customer categories is set to take effect on October 1, 2025, according to the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC).
No changes will be made to water rates during that time.
The Commission said in a statement signed by Acting Executive Secretary Shafic Suleman that the modification was the result of its quarterly review mechanism, which takes into account economic factors such inflation, the generation mix, the cedi–dollar exchange rate, and fuel costs, especially those of natural gas.
The quarterly exercise is necessary to “maintain the real value of tariffs” and protect utility providers’ financial stability so they can keep providing dependable services, according to the Commission.
Taking into account an under-recovery of GH¢0.3980 per dollar from the third quarter, the PURC calculated a projected weighted average exchange rate of GH¢12.3715 to the dollar for the review period.
Additionally, it adopted a weighted average natural gas cost of US$7.7134 per MMBtu and an annual average inflation rate of 12.43%.
The anticipated generation mix is still 71.2 percent thermal and 28.8 percent hydro.
According to the updated prices, residential lifeline customers using 0–30 kWh will now pay 80.43 pesewas per unit, up from 79.53 pesewas, and customers using more than 301 kWh will pay GH¢2.40 per unit, up from GH¢2.38.
In the 0–300 kWh band, non-residential customers will now pay GH¢1.64 per unit instead of GH¢1.62 previously.
There will also be minor increases for consumers with particular loads and industrial settings.
However, water rates do not vary for residential, non-residential, commercial, industrial, or institutional users. In addition to manufacturers of bottled and sachet water keeping current prices, residential customers using up to 5 m³ of water would continue to pay GH¢5.28 per cubic meter.
The Commission promised to keep an eye on utility service providers’ practices, arguing that customers should receive better service and value for their money.
Source: newsthemegh.com