
Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has summoned the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) over reports that prepaid electricity units are running out faster than expected.
PURC’s Executive Secretary, Dr Shafic Suleman, has directed ECG’s Managing Director, along with senior officials from its technical, commercial, ICT, and customer service departments, to attend an emergency meeting on Wednesday, February 26, to address the concerns.
In a formal letter obtained by Myjoyonline, PURC stated that it had “taken note of widespread media reports and public complaints alleging rapid depletion of prepaid electricity units” following the January tariff adjustment under the Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO).
The Energy Minister has also stepped in. On February 24, through his spokesperson, Richmond Rockson, he directed the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to probe the issue and present a detailed report within seven days.
He assured the public that the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), the Energy Commission, the Ministry, and other relevant agencies are collaborating to thoroughly investigate the matter and ensure it is resolved in a fair and impartial manner.
Meanwhile, ECG has rejected any allegations of misconduct. Its Communications Director, William Boateng, speaking on Dwaso Nsem on Adom FM, maintained that the company strictly implements tariffs approved by PURC and has not exceeded the authorised rates.
“Any increment approved by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) is what is programmed into our system. We have not applied anything beyond that,” Boateng stated. He suggested that the spike in consumption could largely be attributed to hotter weather conditions and the growing use of electrical appliances.
“When temperatures rise, a person may even double their use of cooling devices, and that alone can significantly impact electricity consumption,” he explained.
On January 1, 2026, PURC rolled out a 9.86% increase in electricity tariffs under the 2026–2030 Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO) framework.
The adjustment is intended to support long-term investments in Ghana’s electricity infrastructure.
The tariff hike has also come amid a surge in inflation for electricity and gas, which rose from 6.1% year-on-year in December 2025 to 14.8% in January 2026.
The February 26 meeting convened by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) is expected to provide clarity on how the MYTO tariff adjustment was incorporated into the prepaid metering system. It will also examine any changes made to system parameters and present findings on the extent of consumer complaints, along with proposed measures to address them.
