Electricity distribution companies collected a total of EGP 500m from power thefts between January and March. Sources at the Ministry of Electricity said that South Cairo Electricity Distribution Company, North Cairo Electricity Distribution Company, North Delta Electricity Distribution Company, and Canal Company for Distribution of Electricity are the highest collectors of fees for power thefts, adding that the chairpersons of the companies directed conductors to frequently report thefts. The source noted that a standing committee was formed to supervise the distribution companies and oversee the commitment of applying the approved rules to confront power thefts. Regular meetings are also held between heads of distribution companies and the Electricity Police Department, with organised joint raids being held to limit power thefts. The sources explained that this aims to collect the dues owed to the state and maintain the power grid to end the frequent blackouts in slums. The Ministry of Electricity had posed several rules and regulations to installing coded metres in slums, including that buildings must not be built on archaeological lands, roads, or state land. The rules of installing metres also stipulate that buildings must abide by Civil Aviation regulations. Moreover, the new rules included the buildings on farmlands, where linking electricity is permitted until the local councils decide on them. The sources noted that there is a plan underway in cooperation with the Ministry of Local Development to rationalize street lighting in order to save 700MW, especially as public lightning consumption amounted to 7% of the total consumed electricity across the republic.
