Power cuts are making an unwelcome comeback in Egypt, due to a combination of summer temperatures lingering into November and a shortage of natural gas.
Until last summer Egyptians thought power outages were a thing of the past, thanks to the billions of dollars the government has spent over the past decade on cutting-edge power stations, distribution networks and the rapidly expanding production of clean energy.
However, last summer's unforgiving heat – temperatures routinely crossed the 40°C threshold – intensified pressure on the country’s grid and natural gas supplies as citizens stayed at home and kept their fans and air conditioning units on.
The rise in energy consumption forced authorities to cut power nationwide for an average of one hour every day. At the time, the government said the outages would stop by October at the latest.
The move seemed particularly surprising since the government had repeatedly boasted about its surplus electricity production that it was considering exporting.
Since last weekend power cuts have been lasting for two hours per day – four in the Mediterranean port city of Alexandria – which is twice as long as this summer's outages, although temperatures in October are much cooler, averaging 30-32°C.
Explaining the power cuts, government spokesman Sameh El Khishen this week said: “Out of concern for the safe and continuing operation of the electricity grid and to avoid (unscheduled) power cuts, we have decided to lighten its load until temperatures return to their average level for this time of year.”
He said Egypt's daily import of 800 million cubic feet of natural gas, which is used to operate several of the new power stations, has dropped to zero.
He did not elaborate, but officials have privately explained that Israel has stopped its substantial gas exports to Egypt for security reasons since the October 7 outbreak of the Gaza war.
Chevron, which operates Israel’s large Tamar natural gas field, was reportedly instructed to shut production at its offshore platform by the government.
Egypt relies on gas imports from Israel to meet some of its domestic demand, as well as re-exporting to Europe via its liquefied natural gas facilities. The unusually hot weather meant Egypt was consuming all the gas that it was producing, leaving little for overseas shipments.
Mr El Khishen, the Egyptian government spokesman, also cited a drop in the production of clean energy as a reason behind the power cuts, without elaborating on the reasons behind that drop.
Egypt's power cuts have dominated national conversation in recent days, with a flood of angry social media posts by frustrated Egyptians on one hand, and many pro-government TV hosts keen on supporting the official line on the other.
Outages, both in the summer and now, have worsened the suffering of Egyptians struggling to cope with a crushing economic crisis the government blames entirely on the coronavirus pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war.
They also come ahead of presidential elections scheduled for December.
Although President Abdel Fattah El Sisi is virtually set to win the vote, securing his third term in office, analysts fear that angry voters could boycott the vote in protest, undermining the predicted landslide victory Mr El Sisi wants to introduce painful reforms to revive the battered economy.
Egypt in 2015 discovered the Zohr natural gas field off its Mediterranean coast, which produces around 2.3 billion cubic feet per day.
But the nation’s gas exports and the growing consumption of its 105 million people have given rise to shortages at home.
Egypt has a power-generating capacity that stands at 48,000 megawatts, with local consumption estimated at a maximum of 36,000MW, leaving it with a surplus of 12,000MW.
Consumption in July and August peaked to 34,650MW, which is below the total output but dangerously close.
The low down on MPS
What is myofascial pain syndrome?
Myofascial pain syndrome refers to pain and inflammation in the body’s soft tissue. MPS is a chronic condition that affects the fascia (connective tissue that covers the muscles, which develops knots, also known as trigger points).
What are trigger points?
Trigger points are irritable knots in the soft tissue that covers muscle tissue. Through injury or overuse, muscle fibres contract as a reactive and protective measure, creating tension in the form of hard and, palpable nodules. Overuse and sustained posture are the main culprits in developing trigger points.
What is myofascial or trigger-point release?
Releasing these nodules requires a hands-on technique that involves applying gentle sustained pressure to release muscular shortness and tightness. This eliminates restrictions in connective tissue in orderto restore motion and alleviate pain. Therapy balls have proven effective at causing enough commotion in the tissue, prompting the release of these hard knots.
Bert van Marwijk factfile
Born: May 19 1952
Place of birth: Deventer, Netherlands
Playing position: Midfielder
Teams managed:
1998-2000 Fortuna Sittard
2000-2004 Feyenoord
2004-2006 Borussia Dortmund
2007-2008 Feyenoord
2008-2012 Netherlands
2013-2014 Hamburg
2015-2017 Saudi Arabia
2018 Australia
Major honours (manager):
2001/02 Uefa Cup, Feyenoord
2007/08 KNVB Cup, Feyenoord
World Cup runner-up, Netherlands
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
THE DETAILS
Solo: A Star Wars Story
Director: Ron Howard
2/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
Engine: Turbocharged four-cylinder 2.7-litre
Power: 325hp
Torque: 500Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh189,700
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The five pillars of Islam
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Barcelona v Liverpool, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE).
Second leg
Liverpool v Barcelona, Tuesday, May 7, 11pm
Games on BeIN Sports
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Rain Management
Year started: 2017
Based: Bahrain
Employees: 100-120
Amount raised: $2.5m from BitMex Ventures and Blockwater. Another $6m raised from MEVP, Coinbase, Vision Ventures, CMT, Jimco and DIFC Fintech Fund
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
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Price: From Dh149,900
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Naga
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Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
TOURNAMENT INFO
Fixtures
Sunday January 5 - Oman v UAE
Monday January 6 - UAE v Namibia
Wednesday January 8 - Oman v Namibia
Thursday January 9 - Oman v UAE
Saturday January 11 - UAE v Namibia
Sunday January 12 – Oman v Namibia
UAE squad
Ahmed Raza (captain), Rohan Mustafa, Mohammed Usman, CP Rizwan, Waheed Ahmed, Zawar Farid, Darius D’Silva, Karthik Meiyappan, Jonathan Figy, Vriitya Aravind, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Basil Hameed, Chirag Suri
Under 19 Cricket World Cup, Asia Qualifier
Fixtures
Friday, April 12, Malaysia v UAE
Saturday, April 13, UAE v Nepal
Monday, April 15, UAE v Kuwait
Tuesday, April 16, UAE v Singapore
Thursday, April 18, UAE v Oman
UAE squad
Aryan Lakra (captain), Aaron Benjamin, Akasha Mohammed, Alishan Sharafu, Anand Kumar, Ansh Tandon, Ashwanth Valthapa, Karthik Meiyappan, Mohammed Faraazuddin, Rishab Mukherjee, Niel Lobo, Osama Hassan, Vritya Aravind, Wasi Shah
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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