The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) held its maiden investment hearing for utility providers from Monday, July 7 to Thursday, July 10, 2025, at the Alisa Hotel in Accra’s North Ridge.
The hearing was part of the Commission’s regulatory reform efforts to ensure a detailed and in-depth review of utility providers’ investments for the 2025-2030 major tariff review process.
The Executive Secretary, Dr. Shafic Suleman, explained in his opening remarks that the investment hearing is unique and novel, the first of its kind in Ghana, aimed at complementing the Commission’s efforts to ensure transparency in its processes.
The Commission held the investment hearing with key utility service providers as part of its regulatory reform agenda, which aims to enhance transparency and ensure prudent capital expenditure ahead of the 2025-2030 major tariff review process.
Dr. Shafic Suleman noted that the hearing forms a critical part of the Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO) process. The investment hearing brought together major stakeholders, including the Volta River Authority (VRA), Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo), Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo), Ghana Water Limited (GWL), and Enclave Power Company (EPC), to present their finalized investment plans to the Commission.
“This process started in February 2025, where we had the preliminary investment hearing from all the utilities. They made presentations to us, and we reviewed their investment plans, providing feedback where necessary. Today, they are making their final investment plans presentation to the Commission,” Dr. Suleman added.
He stated that the process has involved several stages of evaluation and feedback, aiming to establish a regulated asset base and identify critical investments needed in the utility sector for the next three years. This ensures that only justifiable expenditures are factored into future tariff adjustments.
According to Dr. Suleman, the investment hearing is part of PURC’s broader reforms to deepen oversight in Ghana’s utility sector.
By carefully evaluating investment proposals before approving tariff adjustments, the Commission aims to protect consumer interests while promoting sector sustainability.
The panel, chaired by Prof. Ebenezer Bugri Anarfo, Commissioner and Chairperson of the Investment Hearing Panel, led the assessment and cross-examination of the proposed investments to ensure alignment with national regulatory benchmarks.
The Board Chairman, Hon. Moses Asaga, emphasized the importance of the investment hearing and thorough review process in his concluding remarks.
He encouraged open discussion among team members from the utility service providers, focusing on investment proposals and sector developments that guide consumer, utility, and investor interests, as well as utility sector sustainability.
The Commission will provide a final decision on admitted investments. Team members were also encouraged to coordinate and address questions effectively. The meeting discussed investment guidelines and planning for the upcoming rate control period from 2025 to 2030.
“The Commission shared guidelines for investment submissions in 2024, which utilities will use to plan and justify their investment proposals. The panel will submit a report to the Commission detailing recommended investments and those not recommended, for the Commission to communicate interim positions,” Hon. Asaga added.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
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