PURC optimistic about stable utility tariffs in the coming months
On Tuesday the PURC announced an increase in electricity and water tariffs by 4.22 % and 1.18%, respectively, effective 1 September
The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) is optimistic that utility tariffs in the coming months will remain fairly stable if the parameters that influence the increment remain stable.
The regulator on Tuesday (22 August) announced an increase in electricity and water tariffs by 4.22% and 1.18%, respectively, effective 1 September.
“The Commission, after extensive deliberations and analysis, has approved a no increment or change (0%) in end-user electricity tariffs for lifeline customers, industrial customers and non-residential customers … The Commission, however, approved a 4.22% increase across board in the average end-user electricity tariff for non-lifeline residential customers,” said a statement issued by the PURC on Tuesday.
“For the average end-user for water, lifeline customers will experience no increase or change in tariff. The commission, however, approved a 1.18 % increase in tariff for all other water customer group,” the PURC statement said.
Speaking to Kwaku Nhyira-Addo on the Asaase Breakfast Show on Wednesday (23 August), the director of research and corporate affairs at the PURC, Eric Kofi Obutey, said the increase in prices for gas is what influenced the latest increment.
“This increment, as we all know, was occasioned by four parameters: the exchange rate, the gas price, the generation mix between hydro and thermal and [the] inflation rate. Inflation has dropped by 2.1%. If we take the exchange rate, it has also dropped by 2.6%, while hydro and thermal generation mix hasn’t changed.
“Just as I said, these four indicators that I mentioned, we don’t have control over them. So, as far as these parameters keep improving, the tariff will also improve significantly,” Obutey said.
“Last time, we had an increment of about 29.9% for electricity, then it dropped to 18.36% … It’s now 4.22%, all because the parameters we used have improved significantly,” Obutey said.
Listen to Dr Eric Kofi Obutey in the audio clip attached below:
Reporting by Fred Dzakpata in Accra
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