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Egypt dims lights to fight energy crisis
29 Mar
Summary
- Shops and restaurants in Egypt must close by 9 PM nightly.
- Street lights and advertising will be dimmed across the country.
- Egypt's petrol bill more than doubled due to global energy prices.
Egypt has introduced exceptional measures to combat soaring energy prices, a consequence of the Iran war and disruptions to the Strait of Hormuz shipping route. Starting Saturday, retail and dining establishments must close by 9 PM (19:00 GMT) for the upcoming month.
These measures include dimming street lights and roadside advertising. Additionally, many employees in Egypt will return to working from home one day a week in April. Hotels and tourist attractions, which constitute about a tenth of Egypt's economy, are exempt from these energy-saving requirements.
Egypt's reliance on imported fuel has made it vulnerable to global supply shocks. The nation's petrol bill has more than doubled, reaching $2.5 billion in March. While essential workers are excluded from the work-from-home directive, the government is also slowing down energy-intensive state projects and reducing fuel allowances for government vehicles.
