The Institute of Energy Security (IES) has described as unrealistic the demands in tariff increment by the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL).

Even though the think tank agrees that the cost of production has gone up over the years, it insists the increments sought are on the high side.

The Electricity Company of Ghana is demanding a 148% increase in tariff.

A proposal from the power distributor, submitted to the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC), wants the adjustment to cover the period 2019 and 2022.

It also proposed an average increase of 7.6% in tariff over the next four years to cover Distribution Service Charges (DSC).

The Ghana Water Company Limited is also demanding a 334% increase in tariff.

The GWCL in its proposal said over the years, the approved tariffs have not been fully cost-reflective.

These proposals have generated widespread conversation, with many Ghanaians expressing their disapproval of same.

This, an Energy Analyst with the IES, Fritz Moses speaking on JoyNews' AM show on Tuesday, May 10, said the institute will meet the utility providers tomorrow [Wednesday, May 11] with the PURC and put their counter-proposals to them.

“For the increment, the Electricity Company of Ghana is demanding, we believe it is on the higher side and of course, we understand that the economy of 2018 and 2019 is not the same as 2022.

"So things have necessarily increased, but the rate of increment we believe is on the higher side looking at the 148% and 334% these operators are asking for, and we feel they are unrealistic.”

“But these are proposals from their end, so when meet them tomorrow with the PURC, we will present our positions on what we think should be considered in the final review.”