Our Regulator for today is the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (“PURC”). PURC is governed by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission Act 1997 (Act 538) as amended (the “Act”) and is a multi-sector regulator responsible for regulating the provision of utility services such as electricity, water supply and transportation of natural gas services in Ghana.
The institutions that are regulated by the PURC are as follows:
- Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo);
- Ghana National Gas Company Ltd. (GNGC);
- Electricity Company of Ghana Ltd. (ECG);
- Northern Electricity Distribution Company Ltd. (NEDCo);
- Enclave Power Company Ltd;
- Ghana Water Company Ltd. (GWCL);
The PURC regulates these public utilities by approving the Bulk Generation Tariffs (BGT) payable to them by distribution companies, reviewing the reasonableness of pricing under Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), and monitoring their quality of service.
All Public utility companies are required to adhere to the rules and guidelines of the PURC and failure to do so is an offence punishable by a term of imprisonment of not more than two years or a fine of at most GHS 6,000 or both.
The PURC is also governed by the Renewable Energy Act 2011 (Act 832) as amended, and the Energy Commission Act 1997( Act 841)
