The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has announced a 17.5% reduction in electricity tariffs for residential consumers effective march 15. A statement signed by executive secretary Mrs. Mami Dufie Ofori on Monday also indicated a 30% reduction for non-residential consumers, 25% reduction for Special Load Tariff consumers and 10% reduction for mines. The review exercise, as explained in the statement, has become necessary because the commission is required by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission Act 1997 (Act 538) to investigate the cost of production of all sources of supply of electricity to all distribution utilities and to ensure efficient and equitable tariffs as well as ensuring that tariffs are relevant to the current socio-economic environment. The commission in its statement also indicated consumer interest, investor interest, economic development, revenue requirement, and natural gas requirement as some of the major considerations it took into account in arriving at the new tariffs. The new tariffs structure as announced is expected to remain the same until 2019 when it is reviewed again. The commission did not however review water tariffs. “Review of water tariffs require further consultations and the commission is unable to announce a decision at this time,” the statement explained. The announcement comes barely a month after utility service providers – Ghana Water Company Limited and Electricity Company of Ghana – demanded 200 percent increment in tariffs. READ MORE It is however in line with promise made by President Akufo-Addo in January. The president had said the government wants to boost private business in the country after it succeeded in normalising the power situation. The 2018 budget presented by Finance Minister Ken Ofori Atta in November 2017 had project 13 percent reduction for residential and non-residential consumers. By P.D Wedam | 3news.com]]>
