Power tariffs to gradually increase to 29 fils by 2019

Energy Minister Dr. Abdulhussain Mirza stated during a press conference following the weekly Cabinet meeting in Gudaibiya Palace, starting next March, electricity tariffs for domestic, industrial and commercial consumption would gradually increase to 29 fils/ kilowatt/hour by the year 2019.

Dr. Mirza said the amendment would balance the current gap between the costs of production, transportation and distribution of electricity and water, clarifying that these services are 100 per cent subsidised in Bahrain for all sectors at the meantime.

“The cost of an electricity unit production is 29 fils/kilowatt/hour, while it’s provided for three categories now for 3 fils/kilowatt/hour, 9 fils/kilowatt/hour and 16 fils/ kilowatt/hour for the domestic consumption. As for non-domestic use, it’s being provided for 16 fils/kilowatt/hour, 19 fils/kilowatt/hour and 25 fils/kilowatt/hour, depending on the consumption rates,” the minister stated.

“As for water, the cost of water services production is BD0.750/square litre and is sold for consumers for much less prices. It’s provided for domestic users for 25 fils/square litre, 80 fils/square litre and 200 fils/square litre, in accordance with the consumption rates. The same services are provided to the industrial and commercial sectors for 300fils/square litre, 400fils/square litre and 700fils/square litre, which are categorised depending on the density of consumption,” the minister announced.

He declared that “the new tariffs for water services would steadily reach the actual production rates of BD0.75/square litre only for expats, Bahrainis with multiple EWA accounts and non-domestic users by the year 2019.”

In his statements, Dr. Mirza affirmed that the current users of EWA services for domestic consumption are 115,000 Bahrainis with one account, 92,000 Bahrainis with multiple accounts and 55,000 expats, in addition to 105,000 non-domestic users.

He added that the amendment of electricity and water services tariffs would contribute in rationalising consumption and positively impact the economy and environment. The minister also said this would gradually equalise the tariffs with the ones followed in fellow GCC countries and lessening public spending.

New Electricity Tariffs Starting March for Domestic Consumption Depending on Consumption Rates

March 2016 - 6 fils/kilowatt/hour, 13 fils/kilowatt/hour and 19 fils/kilowatt/hour

March 2017 - 13 fils/kilowatt/hour, 18 fils/kilowatt/hour and 22 fils/kilowatt/hour

March 2018 - 21 fils/kilowatt/hour, 23 fils/kilowatt/hour and 25 fils/kilowatt/hour

March 2019 – 29 fils/kilowatt/hour, 29 fils/kilowatt/hour and 29 fils/kilowatt/hour

New Electricity Tariffs Starting March for Non-Domestic Consumption Depending on Consumption Rates

March 2016 – 16 fils/kilowatt/hour, 19 fils/kilowatt/hour, 21 fils/kilowatt/hour and 29 fils/kilowatt/hour

March 2017 - 16 fils/kilowatt/hour, 22 fils/kilowatt/hour, 23 fils/kilowatt/hour and 29 fils/kilowatt/hour

March 2018 - 16 fils/kilowatt/hour, 25 fils/kilowatt/hour, 26 fils/kilowatt/hour and 29 fils/kilowatt/hour

March 2019 – 16 fils/kilowatt/hour, 29 fils/kilowatt/hour, 29 fils/kilowatt/hour and 29 fils/kilowatt/hour

New Water Tariffs Starting March for Domestic Consumption Depending on Consumption Rates

March 2016 – 80 fils/square litre, 200 fils/square litre and 300 fils/square litre

March 2017 – 200 fils/square litre, 300 fils/square litre and 400 fils/square litre

March 2018 - 450 fils/square litre, 500 fils/square litre and 800 fils/square litre

March 2019 – 750 fils/square litre for all

New Water Tariffs Starting March for Non-Domestic Consumption Depending on Consumption Rates

March 2016 – 400 fils/square litre, 500 fils/square litre and 750 fils/square litre

March 2017 – 550 fils/square litre, 600 fils/square litre and 750 fils/square litre

March 2018 – 650 fils/square litre, 700 fils/square litre and 750 fils/square litre

March 2019 – 750 fils/square litre for all