Ghanaians must gird themselves to pay more for energy starting next month.

The Public Utility Regulatory Commission (PURC) gave this indication in its second quarterly evaluation for 2024.

The commission states that rates for household electricity users will increase by 5.84%.

The statement on May 31 further stated that lifeline customers’ bills will rise by 3.45%.

“…there will be 3.45% increase in electricity tariffs for lifeline consumers (0-30kWh); 5.84% increase for all other residential consumers who are not part of the lifeline category bracket (31 kWh and above) as well as the non-residential category,” the PURC said.

However the industrial category “will experience an increase in electricity tariffs of 4.92%.”

For water, Ghanaians will see “an increase of 5.16% for all customer classes for the period under review.”

The commission says it also took into account the competitiveness of industries and the general living conditions of Ghanaians in arriving at this review. The changes will take effect from July 1, 2024, to September 30, 2024. The reviews were conducted in accordance with the Commission’s Quarterly Tariff Review Mechanism, which tracks and incorporates movements in key uncontrollable factors, namely the exchange rate between the US$ and the Ghana Cedi, domestic inflation rate, the electricity generation mix, and the cost of fuel, mainly natural gas. The commission signs the statement signed by PURC’s Executive Secretary, Ishmael Ackah.