Aladdin Hamza, a retired electric engineer in Cairo, questions how families can keep up with the surge in electricity prices when salaries remain stagnant. Recent reports show significant increases in electricity bills for both the industrial sector and households. The government attributes these hikes to global energy costs and the need to recover expenses from reduced subsidies, following an IMF loan agreement.
Low and middle-income families like Aladdin’s struggle with higher bills, forcing them to cut back on essential expenses. Layla Hassan shares how increasing electricity costs impact her budget, affecting her ability to afford basic necessities. Salma Hussein and Salwa Ahmed criticize the price hikes for disproportionately burdening the less privileged.
Egypt’s goal of providing affordable energy for all seems contradicted by these rising costs. The author advocates for income-based pricing to relieve the financial strain on vulnerable households. The current situation prompts households to choose between electricity and food, highlighting the urgent need for fair energy policies that consider socio-economic disparities.
This anonymous writer from Egypt emphasizes the critical impact of electricity prices on everyday life, urging for equitable solutions to address energy poverty.