Egypt’s blackouts: Who will turn the lights back on?

http://english.alarabiya.net/en/perspective/analysis/2014/08/25/Egypt-s-blackouts-Who-will-turn-the-lights-back-on-.html

On Aug. 20, Egyptian Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab said power cuts would decrease from the following week as the government increases supply to the national electricity network.

At the same press conference, Electricity Minister Mohamed Shaker and Petroleum Minister Ashraf Ismail explained how the crisis would be tackled.

“Around 4.8 megawatts of electricity will be added to the national grid, and this is expected to narrow the widening gap between production and consumption,” said Shaker.

Ismail said: “The supply of natural gas to electricity stations has already increased by 100 million cubic feet at the beginning of August, while an additional 60 [million] will be supplied in the coming few days.

There will also be another 220 million in September and 235 [million] in October.” Mahlab said: “We admit that there is a serious and complicated problem, but we are dealing with it.”

The blackouts, which have been occurring across the country as frequently as six times a day in some areas, have not only been a source of misery for Egyptians – particularly during the summer heat – but also a mystery, with the public pondering the causes.

Ahmed Heikal, an energy expert and chairman of Citadel Capital, said Egypt is suffering from “a triple attack.” First, there is an acute shortage of natural gas, which is used to run power stations.

“This shortage is partly the result of the Egyptian government’s failure to pay its dues to international oil companies operating in the country, and which would’ve otherwise developed new natural gas fields,” he said. “As a result, Egypt’s production of natural gas has been dropping drastically.”

Heikal also blamed the subsidy system, from which big industries benefited through paying much less for electricity than it cost the state.

“The state pays 0.75 Egyptian pounds per electricity unit, then sells it for 0.3. That is why I commend President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi for reducing fuel subsidies.”

The third factor contributing, Heikel said, is the negligence of power stations across the country: “Existing power stations haven’t been properly maintained for years, and new ones haven’t been built to face the increasing demand.”

Heikal mainly blamed ousted President Hosni Mubarak for the accumulated shortcomings that led to the current electricity crisis, while saying the lowest rate of natural gas production took place under President Mohamed Mursi.

Kareem Fahim and Merna Thomas wrote in the New York Times that the crisis was not a surprise.

“Experts have been warning of a looming energy disaster for more than a decade, saying there was little long-term planning to accommodate the country’s galloping growth,” they wrote.

“In the last few years, as shortages of natural gas and government funds became desperate and as the aging power infrastructure failed, policy mistakes and postponed decisions made everything worse.”

Sabotage

Mistakes of previous regimes are, however, not seen as the only cause for the unprecedented power cuts. Electricity Ministry spokesman Mohamed al-Yamani said saboteurs were also responsible.

Security expert Mahmoud Qatari said the Muslim Brotherhood’s main objective was to control the state’s vital institutions, which they tried to do by appointing as many of its members as possible in those institutions.

“They succeeded in making this happen in several ministries,” including that of electricity, he said. “Now that the Muslim Brotherhood is ousted, its members remain in their positions, and from there work on their scheme to topple the Egyptian state.”

Security expert Osama al-Tawil said there were “sleeper cells” in ministries that control main services such as electricity. “Those people are very dangerous because they have access to maps of Egypt’s electricity networks,” he said, calling on the security apparatus to identify and dismiss them.

Mahlab said power stations across Egypt were subjected to 300 sabotage attempts in July alone. “For this reason, new legislation will be issued to determine the penalty for such crimes,” he said. A few days later, the cabinet approved a modification of the penal code that includes sabotaging electricity towers and networks.

In the same vein, the Interior Ministry announced the identification of six cells that specialize in sabotaging electricity stations. “Those cells include 40 members of the Muslim Brotherhood,” the ministry said.

According to ministry spokesman Hani Abdel Latif, “leaders of the international [Brotherhood] organization scolded senior members of the group in Egypt for no longer being able to mobilize the people, and devised an alternative scheme that revolves around targeting the country’s vital facilities like power stations.”

Meanwhile, the Egyptian independent daily Al-Watan ran a major story that 160 Brotherhood members work at the Electricity Ministry, many in senior positions.

Excuses?

However, in her article “Amateur ministers and fuel shortage cause power cuts,” Noha al-Nahhas dismisses the link between the blackouts and the Brotherhood.

She wrote that power cuts were among the reasons for the uprising against Mursi, who hails from the Brotherhood.

“Egyptians assumed that Mursi’s departure will be accompanied by a lifting of the darkness that had been shrouding the whole country since it was believed that he exported electricity to Gaza,” she wrote. “Now it’s been more than a year since Mursi left and the darkness remains and Egyptians are left wondering why the blackouts are becoming more frequent.”

Nahhas quoted oil expert Ramadan Abul Ela, who said: “The ministers of electricity and petroleum are a failure and have no clear strategy to deal with the crisis.

They are just amateurs.” Abul Ela downplayed the damage incurred by sabotage: “Even if electricity stations are targeted, this would never result in power cuts throughout the entire country.”

Revolutionary movements have also expressed indignation at what they consider excuses from the government to shift blame.

“Electricity officials know nothing about electricity and do nothing except issue ludicrous statements,” said the April 6 Youth Movement. Mohamed Salah, a member of the movement’s politburo, slammed the subsidy cuts that the government applied abruptly.

“Instead of coming up with a fair plan that applies those cuts to the rich only, the government made a decision that would increase the suffering of the poor,” he said.

“The government has utterly failed in dealing with the electricity problem and officials only sit in their air-conditioned offices while the people remain in this darkness.”

Published by

Sonia Farid

I teach for a living... write for a life!

116 thoughts on “Egypt’s blackouts: Who will turn the lights back on?”

  1. It’s really a great and useful piece of info. I am glad that you just
    shared this helpful information with us. Please keep us up to date like this.
    Thank you for sharing.

  2. Hello, I think your blog might be having browser compatibility
    issues. When I look at your website in Safari, it looks fine
    but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some
    overlapping. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up!
    Other then that, great blog!

  3. Hi there, I found your blog by means of Google at the same time as searching for a
    related topic, your site came up, it looks good. I have bookmarked it in my
    google bookmarks.
    Hi there, simply become alert to your weblog through Google,
    and located that it’s really informative. I am going to be careful for brussels.
    I’ll appreciate if you happen to proceed this in future.
    Lots of other people will probably be benefited from your writing.

    Cheers!

  4. I would like to thank you for the efforts you have put in writing this
    website. I’m hoping to view the same high-grade blog posts from you in the future as well.
    In fact, your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my
    very own website now 😉

  5. I’m not sure why but this website is loading incredibly slow for me.

    Is anyone else having this issue or is it a problem on my end?
    I’ll check back later on and see if the problem still exists.

  6. We are a group of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community.
    Your web site offered us with valuable information to work on. You’ve
    done a formidable job and our whole community will be grateful to you.

  7. Thanks for one’s marvelous posting! I really enjoyed reading it, you will be a great author.I
    will be sure to bookmark your blog and will come back sometime soon. I
    want to encourage continue your great writing, have
    a nice weekend!

  8. Attractive section of content. I simply stumbled upon your web site and in accession capital to assert that I acquire actually enjoyed account your blog
    posts. Any way I will be subscribing in your feeds and even I achievement you get right of entry to persistently
    fast.

  9. With havin so much content do you ever run into any problems of plagorism or copyright infringement?
    My blog has a lot of completely unique content I’ve either authored myself or outsourced but it looks like a lot of it is popping it up all over the web without
    my agreement. Do you know any solutions to help prevent content from being ripped off?
    I’d definitely appreciate it.

  10. Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wished
    to say that I have really enjoyed surfing around your blog posts.

    In any case I will be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope you write again soon!

  11. This design is spectacular! You definitely know how to kwep a reader entertained.
    Between your wit and youyr videos, I wass almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Wonderful
    job. I really enjoyed what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it.
    Too cool!

  12. First of all I want to say wonderful blog! I had a
    quick question which I’d like to ask if you don’t mind.
    I was interested to know how you center yourself and clear your mind before writing.

    I have had a tough time clearing my mind in getting my thoughts out there.
    I truly do take pleasure in writing however it
    just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes tend to be wasted simply just
    trying to figure out how to begin. Any ideas or hints?
    Cheers!

  13. Howdy! I understand this is sort of off-topic however I needed to ask.
    Does building a well-established website such as yours require a
    massive amount work? I’m brand new to writing a blog however I do write
    in my journal on a daily basis. I’d like to start a blog so
    I will be able to share my experience and feelings online.
    Please let me know if you have any kind of suggestions or tips for
    brand new aspiring bloggers. Thankyou!

  14. First of all I want to say awesome blog! I had a qick question whijch
    I’d like to ask if you do not mind. I was curious to know how
    you enter yourself and clear your head prior to writing.
    I’ve had trouble clearing my mind in getting my thoughts out.

    I truly do take pleasure in writin howevver it just seems like the first 10 tto 15 minutes are
    wastd just trying to figure out how to begin. Any
    recommendations or hints? Kudos!

  15. Normally I do not read post on blogs, but I wish to say that
    this write-up very pressured me to take a look
    at and do so! Your writing style has been surprised me.
    Thank you, quite great article.

  16. Greetings I am so thrilled I found your blog, I really found you by accident, while I was searching on Bing for something else, Anyhow I am hewre now
    and would just likoe to say msny thwnks for a fantastic pokst and a all round enjoyable blog (I also love the
    theme/design), I don’t have time to browse iit all at the moment
    but I have saved it and also added your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be bazck to
    read much more, Plese do kewep up the superb work.

  17. After looking into a handful of the blog articles on your web page, I truly like your way of writing a blog.
    I added it to my bookmark siute list and will be checking back in the near future.
    Please check out my website as well aand tell me how you feel.

  18. Amaƶing blog! Do yߋս have any recommendations for aspiring writers?
    I’m plaanning tߋ start my own site soon but I’m a little
    lost on everything. Ԝoսld you propose starting with a free platform like Worԁpгess or go for a paid option? Theгe are so mamy options out tɦеre thast I’m totally overwhelmed ..
    Any recommendations? Cheers!

  19. Hello, i read your blog from time to time and i own a similar one
    and i was just curious if you get a lot of spam responses?
    If so how do you prevent it, any plugin or anything you can advise?

    I get so much lately it’s driving me insane so any
    assistance is very much appreciated.

  20. We’re a group of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our community.

    Your web site provided us with valuable info to work on. You have
    done a formidable job and our entire community will be thankful to
    you.

  21. Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your blog and in accession capital
    to assert that I acquire in fact enjoyed account your blog posts.
    Anyway I will be subscribing to your feeds and even I
    achievement you access consistently quickly.

  22. I have to thank you for the efforts you’ve put in penning this website.
    I am hoping to check out the same high-grade content from you later on as well.
    In truth, your creative writng abilities has motivated me to get
    my own, personal website now 😉

  23. Thank you so much for giving everyone an extraordinarily special opportunity to read critical reviews from this website.
    It’s usually so beneficial plus full of fun for me personally and my office peers to search your web site not less than 3 times every
    week to read through the newest stuff you have got. And lastly, I am also always motivated
    for the good information served by you. Some 2 ideas on this page are truly the best we have all ever had.
    http://hki.kemenperin.go.id/halkomentar-7887-3601.html,

  24. My programmer is trying to convince me to move to .net from PHP.
    I hav alwways disliked the idea because of the expenses.
    But he’s tryiong none the less. I’ve been using Movable-type on various websites
    for about a year and am anxious about switching to another platform.
    I hzve heard fantastic things about blogengine.net.
    Is there a way I can import all mmy wordpress content into it?
    Any kind of help would be greatly appreciated!

  25. Have you ever consideeed about including a little bit more
    than just your articles? I mean, what you say
    is important aand all. Nevertheless just imagine if you added some great photos or video clips to give your posts more, “pop”!
    Your content is excellent but with images annd videos, this sie could definitely be one of the mosst beneficial inn
    its field. Terrific blog!

  26. Howdy! I understand this is kind of off-topic but I haad to
    ask. Does running a well-established blog like yours take a lot of work?
    I am completely new to blogging hiwever I do write in my journal daily.
    I’d like to start a blog so I can share my own experience and thoughts online.
    Please let me know if you have any kind of recommendations or tips for new aspiring bloggers.
    Apprecite it!

  27. Your style is really unique compared to other people I’ve read
    stuff from. Thank you for posting when you’ve got the opportunity,
    Guess I’ll just bookmark tthis page.

  28. This is a very good tip specially to those fresh to the
    blogosphere. Short butt very precise info… Thank you for sharing this
    one. A muat read article!

  29. My brother recommended I might lik this blog.
    He was totally right. This post actually made my day. You
    can not imagine just how much time I hadd spent
    for this info! Thanks!

  30. Howdy! This post could not be written much better!
    Going through this article reminds me of my previous roommate!
    He constantly kept preaching about this. I’ll sebd this article to him.

    Pretty sure he’s going to have a great read.
    Thanks for sharing!

  31. Your style is so unique comparted tto other folks I’ve
    read stuff from. I apprecjate you forr posting when you have the
    opportunity, Guess I wkll just bookmark this blog.

  32. I’ve learn a few just right stuff here. Certainly worth bookmarking for revisiting.
    I suurprise hoow so much effort you put to make this type of magnificent informative website.

  33. I know this web site gives quality depending articles and other material, is there
    any other website which provides these stuff in quality?

  34. I got this web page from my buddy who informed me about this website and at the moment this
    time I am visiting this web page and reading very informative posts at this place.

  35. I am extremely inspired together with your writing abilities and also with the structure for your blog.
    Is that this a paid theme or did you modify it your self?
    Either way keep up the nice quality writing, it is uncommon to look a great weblog like this one today..

  36. hello!,I like your writing very much! proportion we be in contact extra approximately your post on AOL?

    I need an expert in this house to solve my problem.

    Maybe that is you! Looking ahead to see you.

  37. Great blog you have here but I was wanting to know if you knew of
    any forums that cover the same topics talked about here?

    I’d really like to be a part of group where I can get responses from other experienced individuals that share the same
    interest. If you have any recommendations, please let me
    know. Thanks a lot!

  38. I lofe your blog.. very nicce colors & theme. Diid you create this website yourself
    or diid you hire someone to do it for you? Plz respond as I’m looking to design mmy own blog and
    would like to find out where u got this from.
    appreciate it

  39. With havin so much content and articles do you ever
    run into any problems of plagorism or copyright violation? My site has a lot
    of completely unique content I’ve either written myself or outsourced
    but it appears a lot of it is popping it up all over the internet without my
    authorization. Do you know any techniques to
    help stop content from being stolen? I’d truly appreciate it.

  40. I will immediately grab your rss as I can’t in finding your email subscription link or e-newsletter
    service. Do you’ve any? Please permit me realize in order that I could
    subscribe. Thanks.

  41. We stumbled oover here different page and thought
    I should check things out. I like what I see so i am
    just following you. Look forward to going over your web page yet again.

  42. I have read several ezcellent stuff here. Definitely price bookmarking for revisiting.
    I surprise how much effort you place to create this type of wonderful informative web site.

  43. Woah! I’m really loving the template/theme of this site.
    It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s difficult to get that
    “perfect balance” between usability and visual appearance.
    I must say you’ve done a fantastic job with this. Additionally, the blog loads extremely quick for me on Internet explorer.

    Superb Blog!

  44. Hola! I’ve been reading your weblog for some time now and finally got
    the courage to go ahead and give youu a shout out from Austin Tx!

    Just wanted to sayy keep up the fantastic job!

  45. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I truly appreciate your efforts and I will be waiting
    for your next write ups thank you once again.

  46. I’m really impressed with your writing skills and also with
    the layout on your blog. Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself?
    Anyway keep up the excellent quality writing, it is
    rare to see a great blog like this one today.

  47. Somebody essentially lend a hand to make significantly
    articles I’d state. This is the first time I frequented your website page and up
    to now? I surprised with the analysis you made to make this actual put
    up extraordinary. Wonderful activity!

  48. I’m extremely impressed together with your writing abilities
    and also with the layouht in youir blog. Is that this a paid subject matter or did you customize it your
    self? Anyway keep uup thhe excellent high quapity writing, it is uncommon to
    see a nice weblog like this one today..

  49. Heya i am for the first time here. I found this board and
    I find It really useful & it helped me out a lot.
    I hope to give something back and help others like you helped me.

  50. Great blog here! Also your web site loads up very fast!
    What host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host?
    I wish my web site loaded up as quickly as yours lol

  51. Hello! I could have sworn I’ve visited this site before
    but after looking at some of the articles I realized it’s new to me.
    Anyways, I’m definitely happy I discovered it and I’ll
    be bookmarking it and checking back frequently!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.