CAIRO: The public was shocked Monday with news that the government has decided to increase electricity prices starting December. The new prices apply to all categories, including domestic, commercial, street lights and agricultural. The only category that was not included in the raise was the first domestic bracket or the "lower-income domestic bracket. The government notified the electricity authorities Sunday to start calculating electricity consumption using the new fare starting December. The new electricity bills with the higher prices will reach consumers in January 2008. The Ministry of Electricity and the Egyptian Electric Utility and Consumer Protection Regulatory Agency (EEUCPRA) refused to comment on the issue. This price increase contradicts the ministry's previous statements made during the announcement of the new electricity law. Approved this past July, the new law should have allowed local and international private sector companies to bid for electricity generation and distribution licenses. Both the ministry and EEUCPRA had promised that electricity prices would not increase. Both authorities refused to comment to Daily News Egypt about why the law has not been applied yet.
