COSECA welcomes over 20% hike in utility tariffs by PURC
The Coalition of Stakeholders in Electricity Concession and Arrangements (COSECA) says it welcomes the new utility tariffs announced by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC).
In a statement issued by COSECA, the Association noted that despite some agitation from the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), the new tariff regime is more business friendly than the previous tariff regime.
Adding that, the upward tariff adjustment could have been worse.
“The approved tariffs is probably the best the Public Utility Regulatory Commission (PURC) could do under the circumstances, especially, if it were to ensure that the two major utilities are able to sustain their operations.
“COSECA is concerned about the potential effect of a 31.7% inflation rate, and a near 100% depreciation of the local currency, since the last major tariff review in 2018, on the ability of the utilities to sustain their operations, if nothing was done about the tariffs,” read parts of the statement.
Coseca on August 2022 Utility Tariff Adjustment – Final-1 by Fuaad Dodoo on Scribd
Water tariff hiked by 21.55% in multi-year tariff review by PURC
The average end-user tariff for water consumption has been increased by 21.55% by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC).
The upward review is contained in the regulator’s press statement issued on Monday, August 15, 2022.
According to the PURC, increment in water tariff is in cognisance of the cost of electricity, increased volume and cost of chemicals for raw water treatment, the Ghana Cedi/US Dollar exchange rate, inflation, infrastructure upgrade/expansion and operation and maintenance of service delivery as well as the financial viability of the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL).
Adding that, the new water tariff is sensitive and responsive to the positions of all stakeholders including consumers.
In the approved tariff, the PURC added a monthly tariff of GHS 1.20 pesewas to the existing tariff of all consumers being residential, non-residential, commercial, industrial, public stand pipes, ports and harbours, bulk supply and government departments.
This puts the monthly tariff charge for water consumption at GHS 7.20 pesewas from the previous charge of GHS 6.
The 21.55% increment in water tariff is contrary to the over 300% percentage points increment in water tariff demanded by the GWCL.
According to the PURC, the new water tariff kickstarts September 1 , 2022.
Electricity: PURC hikes tariff by 27.15%
The utility regulator in a statement on Monday, August 15, 2022, announced a 27.15% increment in electricity tariff for residential consumers.
The 27.15% increment in electricity tariffs for residential consumers translates into a monthly electricity tariff of GHS 10.73 pesewas, some GHS 3 increment when compared to the previous GHS 7.45 pesewas electricity tariff.
For residential lifeline consumers, the PURC maintained electricity tariff at GHS 2.13 pesewas per month.
Same was done to non-residential consumers, particularly SMEs (hairdressers, barbering shops, tailoring and dress making shops, mechanics, welding etc) as the PURC maintained electricity tariff paid by these businesses at GHS 12.42 pesewas per month.
Assigning reasons for its decision to increase electricity tariffs of residential consumers as opposed to that of non-residential consumers or businesses, the PURC noted that the move is to help in the creation and preservation of jobs and livelihoods as the existing tariff structure imposes punitive tariffs on businesses.
