20% Peak-Hour Electricity Tariff Takes Effect for High-Use Businesses
Commercial users consuming more than 250 kWh a month will pay higher electricity rates during a four-hour daily peak period.
A 20% increase in electricity tariffs during a daily peak-demand window has come into effect for high-consumption commercial users in Egypt, as part of efforts to ease pressure on the national electricity grid during periods of elevated demand.
According to guidance issued by the Tahrir–Badr Electricity Engineering Office, part of the Sadat Electricity Sector, the mechanism applies to commercial activities with monthly electricity consumption exceeding 250 kWh.
The system covers a range of commercial users, including shops, restaurants, cafés, workshops, offices and kiosks. During the four-hour peak window in the summer, qualifying businesses will pay a higher electricity tariff, while consumption outside those hours will continue to be billed at the standard commercial rate.
Under the revised pricing, the peak-hour tariff has increased to EGP 2.64 per kWh, up from EGP 2.20 per kWh, reflecting the 20% increase.
Prepaid electricity meters have been programmed to automatically recognise the peak-demand period, applying the higher tariff during those four hours before reverting to the standard rate for the remainder of the day.
The electricity office also advised commercial users to reduce consumption during peak hours by shifting energy-intensive activities to other times, limiting façade lighting in the evening, setting air conditioning to moderate temperatures, replacing conventional bulbs with high-efficiency LED lighting, and ensuring the internal clock on prepaid meters is correctly configured to avoid incorrect peak-hour charges.
