MPs Push for Increased Tariff Cap to ease shared household burden

TDT | Manama

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MPs are urging the government to increase the cap for the lowest electricity tariff from 3,000 to 5,000 units per month for households with multiple families living in one home. The proposal, set for discussion this Tuesday, has garnered support from the Public Utilities and Environment Committee, despite objections from the Ministry of Electricity and Water Affairs over cost and environmental concerns.

MP Khalid Buanaq, who drafted the report for Parliament, emphasized that the move would address longstanding issues with how subsidies are applied to families living in shared housing. MP Mohammed Al Maarafi, who submitted the proposal, has received praise from former committee chairman MP Hisham Al Awadi, who described it as a practical solution to alleviate household burdens. The Ministry of Electricity and Water Affairs, however, has raised concerns, arguing that Bahrainis already benefit from substantial subsidies, with over 87% of the BD490 million spent in 2021 and 2022 going directly to citizens’ accounts. The ministry warned that changing the rules could lead to wasteful consumption, strain the power grid, and increase operating costs.

Additionally, they cautioned that higher electricity usage in overcrowded homes could pose safety risks, disrupt power supplies, and increase carbon emissions, undermining Bahrain’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2060. They also noted that implementing such changes would require costly technical and administrative adjustments.