MENA House: When the Lights Go Out in Egypt

The Ministry of Electricity and Energy has decided to cut electricity consumption in Egypt by 50%. so, in the words of advisor Dr Aqsam Abu al Ola, it is "complying with international targets".

Abu al Ola compared Egypt's energy cutbacks to those of cities such as New York, London, and Los Angeles. He did not question, however, whether the average earnings of residents of those cities can be compared with earnings in any city in Egypt.  WIth Egyptians citizens making an average of only 17% of wages in "developed societies",  a sudden cutback in electricity without sufficient alternatives may create more darkness than light.

MENA House: Turning the Clocks Back for Ramadan

While there is no official date by which the Ministry intends to reach its 50% goal, it has put forth a plan on how it intends to do so. The method may raise serious concerns, however. Road users could pay a high price if street and motorway lighting is reduced  on roads with deep potholes and prone to accidents --- already "Sahrawy route" and "Ismailia route" drivers have to depend solely on their headlights.

Local shops may also be closed at 7 p.m. Bright idea? Traditionally in Egypt, people go out at the end of a working day to buy household goods and personal items. With forced closures at prime time, shopkeepers will inevitably go out of business and shoppers will have to find other ways to make their regular purchases.

This 50% cut could be more than a short-term dimming --- it looks Egypt is going down a dark tunnel with very little light at the end of it.

Comments

[Christina]

bright idea?

[ash]

did this minister discuss this with the other colleauges consider the serioud side effect of population doubling in few years?

[Sarobutterfly1]

As you said while we have light every where there are many accidents not only on the bridges but actually even the normal roads, also while there is light we have so much sexual harassment imagine with little light.
Ok i am with him we have here in Egypt to safe electricity & Water but i think there are another logic ways to do that & as ash said he has to discuss it first with other ministers for sure they will reach a logic points.

then heya de masr ya 3bla !!!!

[Christina]

Dear Sarobutterfly,

Good thing you mentioned the issue of sexual harrasment. Can't really comment on the possibilities of dimmer light. It's a problem that could be exacerbated in an array of much darker places.

akeed 'heya de masr ya 3abla'!

[Sharaf El Deen]

The Egyptian economy & society will suffer from this decision. When shops close at 7:00 PM, birth rates will increase, revenues will go down, purchasing power will decrease, which means GDP and tax revenues will be reduced. Officials are rambling on about the European model. In European countries there is a two hour brake and people don't work more than 8 hours/day. Also, Egypt is a country with a hot climate. No body is willing to buy their household needs during day time when the temperature is 46 degrees. Not to mention the inevitable increase in sexual harassment, crime rates, and higher accident potential due to the poor quality of roads in Egypt.

[Christina]

Sharaf El Deen,

This is exactly what Ash and Sarobutterfly stated in their previous comments. Ash made a point about an increase in population exactly for the fact that shops are closing earlier and the day is getting darker much earlier.

Sara also made the point about sexual harrasment. It really is no joke! he Ministry of electricity and energy may have opened up alot of unwanted doors and the public will feel its undesired effects almost immediately.

[Sharaf El Deen]

Well Christina, let's just hope the Ministry of Electricity & Energy realizes the adverse potentials of such decision on the economy, society, and government treasury, and start thinking of real alternatives to conserve energy while securing the requirements of the Egyptian society instead of just (good old fashion) flipping a switch.