Power Cut Duration Reduced to One Hour Across Egypt

The Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy has disclosed that the daily electricity load-shedding plan now enforces one-hour power cuts. The shortened power cuts follow a rebound in Egypt's gas supplies used for electricity generation, reportedly attributed to the resumption of imports from the Leviathan gas field in the Mediterranean Sea.

As per the ministry's announcement, power outage durations are determined daily after coordination between the ministry and relevant authorities. On October 29th, the Egyptian Cabinet's spokesperson, Samah El Kheshen, explained that the recent increase in power outage durations, which had reached two hours daily, was prompted by a significant temperature rise compared to the same period in the previous year.

To ensure the stable operation of the electricity network, loads have been reduced until temperatures return to their usual levels. In July 2023, the government initiated a nationwide load-shedding program to alleviate the growing pressure on the country's gas network, exacerbated by rising temperatures that led to increased demand for air conditioning.

Additionally, there are ongoing exemptions for hospitals, police stations, and select schools and universities, with coordination between authorities to determine the relief mechanism and timing following the conclusion of the academic term.