Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli announced that the government would start from early next week to implement a strict plan for rationalizing electricity consumption at public buildings.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, the premier said outdoor lighting of government buildings would be shut, in addition to reducing the lighting of public squares, streets and main axes to cut electricity consumption.

He added that shopping malls and public stores would close at 11 PM, according to the summer timing, noting that the temperature of air conditioners at shopping centers would be fixed at 25 degrees or more.

The prime minister underlined that the Ministry of Youth and Sports is coordinating with sporting clubs and federations to determine closing dates and reduce the lighting of stadiums and giant facilities, except for social clubs.

He noted that the Ministries of Electricity and Petroleum are working on a plan to reengineer power stations so that priority is given to stations that consume less natural gas and generate more electricity, such as the three Siemens stations with high loads.

This move could help save the largest amount of natural gas for export amid the rising energy prices, Madbouli said.

He pointed out that the government decided to postpone raising electricity prices for six months until early 2023.

The prime minister said the State targets securing an additional surplus within 15 percent of the volume of natural gas that is directed to power stations, noting that this amount could be exported to earn foreign currency for the country’s coffers.

The prime minister urged citizens to rationalize electricity use at their homes to support the government’s energy consumption rationalization plan.

Source: State Information Service Egypt