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.