Summer electricity bills back on Parliament’s agenda
Air conditioning is a basic necessity for Bahraini households during the summer, and an MP is calling for measures to ease the impact of higher electricity bills during the hottest months.
MP Hassan Ibrahim Hassan has proposed a mechanism to reduce the burden of summer electricity costs on citizens while encouraging solar power and more efficient energy use.
He said Bahrain’s high summer temperatures make air conditioning essential rather than optional, directly affecting household electricity consumption.
The proposal calls for practical measures to reduce living costs during summer while maintaining the sustainability of the electricity sector. It also promotes energy-efficient appliances, solar energy, and greater private-sector involvement as longer-term solutions.
Mr Hassan has also called for a comprehensive study of the impact of summer electricity bills on Bahraini households, including identifying the groups most affected and developing sustainable ways to reduce the financial burden.
The government said in December that the development of new electricity and water support mechanisms had been postponed pending further study.
It also confirmed that electricity rates for the first and second consumption tiers in citizens’ primary residences would remain unchanged, while rates for non-subsidised categories increased from 29 fils to 32 fils per kilowatt hour from January 2026.
The proposal must first be approved by Parliament before being referred to the government for a response.
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