Gov’t increase Electricity by over 11%

The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has approved an 11.17 per cent tariff increase for recovery of total electricity revenue requirement for the regulated electricity market effective 1 July 2019…

The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has approved an 11.17 per cent tariff increase for recovery of total electricity revenue requirement for the regulated electricity market effective 1 July 2019.

A statement issued by the PURC on Friday, 21 June 2019 copied to Ghanamatters.com and signed by the Executive Secretary, Mrs Mami Dufie Ofori, said: “In taking the above decision, the Commission has received and considered tariff proposals from stakeholders including the Volta River Authority (VRA), Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo), Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Power Distribution Service Ghana Limited (PDS), Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) and Enclave Power Company Limited.

The Commission said in line with its regulatory oversight mandate, “extensive technical and financial analysis of the proposals were undertaken”, adding that: “The key objective of the tariff review was to sustain the financial viability of utility service providers as well as ensure delivery of quality service to customers”.

“As a major policy shift aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of the Ghanaian industry”, the Commission it has “eliminated the maximum demand charged on industrial customers (Special Load Tariff customers)”, adding: “It is expected that this policy will result in some SLT customers experiencing savings in their overall electricity bills”.

According to PURC, “This 2019/2020 major tariff review decision is the outcome of prudent cost review and effective monitoring undertaken by the Commission”.

It announced that the details of the approved electricity tariffs and the rationale for the decision will be published on the Commission’s website.

The Commission also said it received a tariff proposal from the Ghana Water Company Limited and “the decision of this will be announced in due course”.

It reiterated “its unwavering commitment to ensuring sustainability and growth of quality water service provision for socioeconomic development”.