Higher electricity and water tariffs for unsubsidised users, including expatriates, will come into effect from next month while citizens will remain fully protected in their primary household, the Cabinet announced yesterday.
A Press conference was held at Gudaibiya Palace following the session, where nine ministers, led by Finance and National Economy Minister Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, elaborated on the measure, which is part of a wider package of reforms to boost Bahrain’s public finances.
Cabinet Affairs Minister Hamad Al Malki confirmed that no changes will be made to the first and second consumption thresholds for electricity and water for citizens living in their primary residences.
A special mechanism will also take into account extended families sharing a single household.
Under the approved structure, subsidised power tariffs for citizens’ primary residence will remain unchanged.
Bahrainis with one home qualify for the subsidised rate of three fils per unit, but if they exceed 3,000 units in a month, the rate for the second threshold increases to nine fils per unit for additional power consumed.
Those exceeding 5,000 units are currently charged 16fils for each unit – which will increase to 32fils per additional unit from next month.
For all unsubsidised categories, including commercial users and expatriates, the power tariff will increase from 29fils to 32fils per unit.
Electricity and Water Affairs Minister Yasser Humaidan said the adjustment reflects actual production costs while ensuring Bahraini households are shielded from higher bills.
Similarly, subsidised residential water tariffs for citizens is 25fils per unit for the first category, increasing to 80fils and 200fils in the second and third categories, if there is excess usage.
Unsubsidised water users – including commercial establishments and expats – will see tariffs rise from 750fils to 775fils per unit.
A series of rate increases for expatriates since 2016 has seen the cost of electricity shoot up to 29fils per unit and water to 750fils per unit.
With the latest hike, foreign workers will now pay 32fils per unit for electricity and 775fils per unit for water from next month.
The Cabinet also decided to postpone the introduction of new electricity and water support mechanisms for citizens to allow further study.
The Ministers of Electricity and Water and Social Development have been tasked with implementing the decisions and ensuring eligible households continue to receive subsidies.
Social Development Minister Osama Al Alawi said his ministry is currently compiling lists of extended families living together to ensure they are correctly classified and protected under the revised tariff system.
“These measures recognise the structure of Bahraini families and ensure that subsidies are directed fairly and accurately with us currently working to compile lists of extended families,” he said.
Officials stressed that the reforms strike a balance between financial sustainability and social protection, keeping essential services affordable for citizens while adjusting rates for other categories.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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