EWA clarifies upcoming strategic plan aims for better regulation, not ‘privatisation’

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

A new law is in the works to overhaul Bahrain’s electricity and water sector, splitting operations from oversight. However, the Electricity and Water Authority (EWA) insists this is not privatisation.

EWA stated that its “strategic plan does not involve privatisation” but aims to “regulate the sector in line with international best practice”.

Draft law

Electricity and Water Affairs Minister, His Excellency Yaser Humaidan, said the draft law would bring Bahrain in line with GCC states that have reworked their power and water industries.

The goal, he said, is to separate the regulator from the operator, ensuring “clearer oversight, better governance, and stronger protections for consumers”.

In response to a question from MP Maryam Al Dhaen, Humaidan explained in a letter to Parliament that the move would “complete the process of separating operations and maintenance from oversight”.

Service quality

The authority insists this will “improve openness, governance, and efficiency” while maintaining service quality.

Humaidan said the ministry, along with EWA, is rolling out a plan covering financial balance, better infrastructure, improved service quality, and workforce development.

Will the overhaul affect service quality? EWA says no.

Investment choices “Spending will be watched more closely, investment choices will be better weighed, and every dinar will be stretched further”.

A new watchdog will be set up to “track service standards and ensure reliability”.

Humaidan also moved to calm fears over job losses.

Job cuts

“This is not about selling off assets but about making the sector run better. No job cuts are expected,” he said.

Concerns about price hikes were also put to rest. EWA confirmed that government support will remain under existing rules.

“The current subsidy system, as set out in Ministerial Decision No. (1) of 2016, remains in place”.

Efficiency

Humaidan stressed that this is about improving efficiency, not squeezing citizens.

“There will be no change to household costs. This is about keeping the pipes running, the lights on, and doing it better,” he said.

He insists “there is no shift in pricing or subsidies” and that the changes “will make services steadier without extra cost to the public”.