PURC Summons ECG Over Rapidly Draining Prepaid Electricity Units
Emergency meeting called as consumers report unusual prepaid unit depletion following tariff hike
- PURC summons ECG over reports of fast-draining prepaid electricity units
- Meeting set for February 26 to review complaints and system integration of tariff adjustments
- ECG denies wrongdoing, citing approved tariffs and higher usage from hot weather and appliances
The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has summoned the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) over reports that prepaid electricity units are depleting unusually fast.
PURC Executive Secretary Dr. Shafic Suleman directed ECG’s Managing Director and senior technical, commercial, ICT, and customer service officials to appear at an emergency meeting on Wednesday, February 26, to explain the situation.
In a formal letter, PURC noted widespread media reports and public complaints alleging rapid depletion of prepaid units following the January 1 tariff adjustment under the Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO).
The Energy Minister also intervened through his spokesperson, Richmond Rockson, on February 24, instructing ECG to investigate and submit a detailed report within seven days. “The PURC, the Energy Commission, the Ministry, and all the agencies are working together to get to the bottom of the matter and resolve it fairly and impartially,” he stated.
ECG, however, denies any wrongdoing. Communications Director William Boateng in an interview said that the company strictly applies tariffs approved by PURC and has not implemented rates beyond the sanctioned increase.
“Whatever increment PURC gives us is what is captured in our system. We have not implemented anything beyond that,” Boateng said. He added that increased electricity usage due to hot weather and the growing number of electrical appliances may be contributing to higher consumption. “When the heat increases, someone can even double the use of cooling appliances. That alone can affect your consumption.”
The January 1, 2026, tariff adjustment raised electricity rates by 9.86% under the 2026–2030 MYTO framework, aiming to fund long-term investments in Ghana’s power infrastructure. The increase coincides with rising inflation in electricity and gas, which jumped from 6.1% year-on-year in December 2025 to 14.8% in January 2026.
The February 26 PURC meeting is expected to clarify how the MYTO tariff adjustment was applied to prepaid meters, review system parameters, assess the scale of consumer complaints, and propose resolutions.
