Egypt's new electricity prices to apply starting Monday

The sun rises behind electricity pylons near Chester, northern England October 24, 2011. Energy bills have risen dramatically in recent months as companies raise their prices because of rising wholesale costs, meaning an average dual fuel bill in Britain costs 1,345 pounds ($2,125) a year, according to the watchdog Ofgem. The regulator also said companies were making 125 pounds per customer in profit, the highest level since at least 2004. Suppliers dispute those figures. REUTERS/Phil Noble (BRITAIN - Tags: BUSINESS ENERGY ENVIRONMENT SOCIETY POLITICS)

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Electricity, Ayman Hamza, announced that Egypt’s new tariff for electricity prices are set to begin on Monday.

The new tariff varies according to the consumption of citizens, as announced by the ministry last month, Hamza explained in a phone call to Hadrett al-Mowaten talk show on Al-Hadath Al-Youm channel Sunday evening, adding that the increase will be 14.9 percent compared to the previous year.

The ministry seeks to switch from the traditional electricity meters to the system of smart prepaid meters, which allow citizens to follow up the value of their consumption, so as not to be surprised by the end of the month with the rate on bill.

Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm