Egyptian gov't directs electricity consumption to save, export gas used in stations

CAIRO - 10 August 2022: The Egyptian government has announced taking several serious measures to rationalize electricity consumption with the aim of exploiting the gas that is pumped into power stations, exporting it, and then saving foreign exchange.

 

The government is currently working on investing in the most important resource it owns, which is natural gas, to which huge investments have been directed in the past,” Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli said on Tuesday.

 

The Prime Minister held a meeting, on Tuesday, to follow up the executive steps to activate the procedures for rationalizing electricity.

 

“The state has tended to provide the largest amount of gas to be exported abroad and to obtain foreign exchange, in light of the global crisis that the countries of the world are going through, especially the energy crisis that has affected various countries of the world,” the prime minister added.

 

According to Madbouli’s statements, by saving 10 percent of gas consumption, which is pumped into power stations, this will save approximately $300 million per month by exporting it abroad. In addition, by saving 15 percent of the consumption, this will result in saving $450 million.

 

“We need to provide foreign exchange in light of the repercussions of the current Russian-Ukrainian crisis; the high prices of grain and petroleum products,” he noted.

 

The government has started implementing the rationalization plan, and decisions will be sent to all ministries within the framework of implementing this plan, including the complete shutdown of the electric current after the end of official working hours, except for service buildings, as well as not lighting any government building from outside.

 

In addition, Stadiums, indoor halls and playgrounds will also be closed at a specific hour during night periods, as well as commercial malls.

 

The government's plan includes operating air conditioners in major malls and buildings that operate with central air conditioning, at a temperature of 25 degrees or more.

 

The Prime Minister also called on citizens to rationalize personal consumption of electricity, in conjunction with rationalization in ministries, governorates and various government agencies; in order to achieve integration with the government's plan, in pursuit of the state's objectives in this regard.