A new survey by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has revealed that the majority of Ghanaians are willing to pay more for electricity, as long as it means consistent and reliable power supply.
According to the data, more than six in ten respondents (61.88%) said they would accept higher electricity costs if it guaranteed stable supply without interruptions. The result underscores a clear national sentiment: power reliability now outweighs price concerns for most consumers.
The survey, which explored electricity usage patterns and pricing preferences across Ghana, found that price-sensitive attitudes remain, but are largely secondary to the desire for dependable service. About 19.13% of respondents preferred a fixed electricity price even if it came with occasional outages, suggesting some tolerance for unreliability, provided costs are predictable.
However, willingness to endure frequent power cuts for cheaper tariffs was far lower. Only 8.19% opted for fluctuating power supply at lower prices, while just 3.06% said they would accept frequent outages in exchange for lower bills. These figures point to a growing public expectation for consistent service, even at higher personal expense.
A small group of respondents, 5.19%, said they preferred not to pay for electricity at all, even if that meant unstable supply. Another 2.55% selected “Other,” potentially indicating alternative sources like solar or shared utility setups.
The findings offer important insights for policymakers, particularly as Ghana navigates ongoing energy sector reforms. With consumers clearly prioritising reliability, efforts to adjust tariffs or improve infrastructure must reflect the growing demand for uninterrupted service.
The results are based on a nationwide survey conducted by the PURC between May and June 2025, involving 3,759 respondents across all 16 regions of Ghana.
