Hommam Al Nassim 
Egyptian parliamentary calls have escalated to exempt Upper Egypt governorates from plans to reduce electrical loads in light of a record heat wave sweeping Egypt, where temperatures exceeded 50 degrees Celsius.
A group of other MPs submitted requests to the government to stop applying electricity rationing to governorates such as Qena, Luxor and Aswan, noting that extreme weather conditions require a special exception.
The MPs pointed out that the continuous reduction in electricity leads to serious problems related to public health and comfort, especially among the most affected groups such as children, the elderly and the sick.
MP Zainab Al-Salaimi stressed the urgent need for electricity during this critical period, stressing that cutting off electricity leads to significant health and material complications.
In response to these calls, the Ministry of Electricity indicated that reducing loads is a temporary and necessary measure to balance the electrical grid, but it is closely monitoring the situation and trying to minimize the impact on citizens.
She pointed out that the government is looking for alternative solutions to mitigate the severity of the heat wave and its impact on electrical loads, especially in the areas of Upper Egypt most affected by high temperatures.
The Egyptian Prime Minister, Mostafa Madbouly, announced on May 27, 2024, during a press conference that the government will reduce electrical loads to provide the fuel necessary to operate the stations, and reduce the financial burdens on the country’s general budget.
The electricity rationing plan includes power cuts for two hours a day in some areas, and this period increases in remote areas and decreases in Greater Cairo, and hospitals and some strategic areas have been excluded from the rationing plan to ensure the continued provision of basic services.
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