Bahraini families struggling with soaring summer electricity and water bills could see relief under an urgent proposal backed unanimously by MPs yesterday to restore the previous subsidised tariffs for citizens’ first homes.
The proposal, led by newly elected legislative and legal affairs committee chairman Dr Abdulhakim Al Sheno alongside four other MPs, was referred to the Cabinet for review.
Dr Al Sheno said rising living costs, housing commitments and banking obligations were placing mounting pressure on household budgets, particularly among low- and middle-income families.
“Families are facing multiple financial commitments, from essential daily expenses and housing costs to increasingly expensive electricity and water bills. Restoring the previous subsidised tariffs for a citizen’s first home would provide direct relief and help protect family stability,” he said.
He highlighted Bahrain’s prolonged hot summers, when air conditioning and water consumption rise sharply, pushing households into higher tariff brackets and leaving families facing substantially larger monthly bills.
“The burden is particularly acute for extended families sharing a single home and electricity meter while waiting for housing services,” Dr Al Sheno said.
Under the current domestic electricity tariff structure for citizens’ first homes, consumption is charged at three fils per unit for the first 3,000 units, nine fils for the next 2,000 units and 16 fils for the following 2,000 units.
Consumption exceeding 7,000 units is charged at 32 fils per unit.
This means families can face a steep increase in costs once their consumption crosses the subsidised thresholds, even when several households are sharing the same property.
Dr Al Sheno said the previous tariff structure had offered more affordable rates, with the first three tiers charged at three, nine and 16 fils per unit respectively, while the fourth tier was charged at 30 fils or more.
He also pointed to changes in water tariffs, which he said had contributed to higher combined utility bills for Bahraini households.
“Restoring the previous tariff system for citizens’ first homes would act as an economic safety net, particularly for middle- and low-income families. The savings could be redirected towards essential needs, including education, healthcare and everyday living expenses,” he said.
The proposal calls for urgent government action, in co-ordination with the Electricity and Water Authority, to reinstate the former tariff structure and ease the financial pressure on households.
Dr Al Sheno said the measure would also help prevent families from falling into arrears or resorting to borrowing to meet essential household expenses. The MPs said the proposal reflected the need for closer co-operation between the legislative and executive branches to address citizens’ priority concerns and support sustainable economic growth.
The Cabinet on Monday introduced a new fixed monthly billing system under which consumers could pay a monthly amount based on their average consumption, with the system backdated to May.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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