Egypt’s Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy decided to implement a new increase in electricity prices starting with August consumption, with an average rise of about 30% for the household sector. The increase took effect on Tuesday for all prepaid meters, and the additional cost for the past period of August will be billed during the next recharge. Electricity distribution companies will start collecting the upcoming bills, including the price increase, in the coming days. A source in the Egyptian Ministry of Electricity previously indicated that the main reason for the increased electricity production cost is the rising dollar exchange rate against the Egyptian pound, noting that the ministry is facing a severe financial crisis, which prompted it to borrow 51 billion EGP to pay part of its current dues to the Ministry of Petroleum, coinciding with the increased loss rate in electricity networks due to the rise in electricity theft cases. Minister of Electricity Mahmoud Essmat held a meeting with all heads of electricity distribution companies to emphasize the need to combat this phenomenon and to hold regular meetings with distribution company heads, deputies, and sector heads to monitor the technical and commercial performance levels to improve the performance of distribution companies across the country.