Scheduled power outages across Egypt, so-called ‘load shedding’, have doubled to two hours per day in recent days from one hour since the start of September, according to local media reports confirmed by in-country sources.
Blackouts started at the end of July following shortages of natural gas, Egypt’s key power generation fuel, amid rising electricity demand driven by a heatwave (MEES, 28 July). While authorities had speculated that power cuts could continue into September, it was largely believed that the situation would improve, rather than deteriorate as electricity demand came down in line with seasonal trends. (CONTINUED - 211 WORDS)