Electricity, water tariffs up by 6.54%, 4.54%

Electricity and water tariffs have gone up by 6.54 per cent and 4.54 per cent respectively for the fourth quarter of the year, the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has announced.

However, due to the poor quality of water service delivery being meted out by the Ghana Water Company, the PURC has decided not to pass on the tariff for water to consumers, a statement signed by the Chairman of the Commission, Dr Emmanuel K. Annan said.

According to the statement, the increase in tariff has been driven by the shift in the generation and fuel mix of a dependence on crude oil due to the challenges being faced with the delivery of gas from the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP) in Nigeria.

The increase in electricity tariff was also attributed to the low volumes of water in the Akosombo and Kpong Hydro Electric Dams.

According to the Commission, the decision was reached after considering the current inadequate electricity supply situation which has resulted in load shedding in the country and its impact on Consumers and Customers of Electricity and water.

It explained that the tariff increase is intended to help ameliorate the impact of the incumbent situation of a dependence on crude oil in the generation mix at the current electricity supply situation in the country.

“An analysis of the current demand against supply dictates that there should be a marginal increase in Electricity Tariffs to help maintain the current situation of a deficiency in supply which has resulted in a Load shedding situation,” the statement said.