A survey conducted by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has found out that Ghanaians place a high premium on stable and reliable electricity, even if it means paying more.
The report, titled “Consumer Preferences and Perceptions of Electricity Supply and Pricing in Ghana” was conducted across the 16 regions of Ghana and involved 3,759 participants between May and June 2025.
Majority of the respondents representing 68% used prepaid meters and 56.05% spend between GHC50 to GHC300 monthly on electricity.
The survey established that 2,326 respondents representing 61.88% have “strong preference for stable electricity despite higher costs” while 115 respondents, which 3.06% opted for frequent outages to save money.
The findings added that majority of respondents, 84.73% value dependable electricity supply.
The report’s finding indicated that 2,326 respondents (52.99%) rated electricity reliability as “very important” and 1,193 respondents (31.74%) rated electricity reliability as “somewhat important”.
“This aligns favourably with the increasing role of electricity in modern life, affecting everything from domestic comfort to business operations,” PURC’s report stated.
According to the report, the high level of education and employment among respondents also indicates a capacity and willingness to pay for improved services.
Despite the findings of the survey, PURC says the diversity of preferences suggest that a one-size-fits-all policy may not be effective but regional electricity strategies that consider local socio-economic dynamics may yield better outcomes.
“This study confirms a strong public demand for reliable electricity in Ghana, with a majority willing to pay higher prices for stability,” the report added.
The Commission has published a survey report on "Consumer Preferences and Perceptions of Electricity Supply and Pricing in Ghana". Read more at https://t.co/S9oUXZJo7V pic.twitter.com/JYqIudac2y
— PURC Ghana (@PURC_Ghana) July 14, 2025
“The findings highlight a strong public demand for reliable electricity, particularly among employed, tertiary-educated, and urban respondents,” PURC stated.
Recommendations
Based on the findings, PURC recommended that the energy sector stakeholders should prioritise investments in infrastructure to enhance supply reliability, particularly in underserved regions.
Additionally, policies should address affordability for low-income households and promote equitable access across genders and regions.
Implications for Policy
Enhance Grid Reliability: There is the need for players in the electricity sub-sector and government to invest in infrastructure in order to meet the high stability demands in especially urban regions.
Support Prepaid Meter Adoption: The dominance of prepaid meters (68.00%) suggests continued policy support for pay-as-you-go systems, but affordability measures are needed for low-income households.
Recognize and address the distinct preferences across regions. While urban areas may require enhanced reliability, rural areas might benefit more from affordability measures or support for alternative energy solutions (like solar) where grid access is challenging.
Read full report below
