Now, pay 40% less for power bills in UAE

Dubai - As many as 35,000 consumers are expected to benefit from this drive.

Residents in northern emirates can heave a sigh of relief as they will have to pay less for their utility bills from next month.

The Federal Electricity and Water Authority (Fewa) has decided to slash tariff for electricity from 45 to 28 fils per kilowatt (kW).

Mohammed Saleh, director-general of the authority, made the announcement on Tuesday.

"The move is meant to ease the suffering of customers, ensure family stability, and bring them happiness in the Year of Tolerance."
The unified tariff to be collected will, however, be linked with consumption, he added. "The more a customer consumes, the more he or she will pay."
As per the new scheme, expatriates living in freehold properties or units owned by Emirati citizens, will pay 28 fils, including 23 fils tariff and 5 Fils service, against electricity consumption up to 2,000kW, he disclosed.
"Up to 33 Fils will be charged against power consumption of 2,001 to 4,000kW as compared to 37 fils for 4,001 to 6,000kW, and 43 fils for 6,000kW and above of electricity usage."
This significant reduction will help customers control their consumption and bills, he underlined. "As many as 35,000 consumers in up to 53,000 residential units are expected to benefit from this drive."
Records show that over 70 per cent of Fewa customers fall under the first slab and will be paying only 28 Fils per kW. "Those will enjoy a 37.7 per cent discount as compared to 26.7, 17.8, and 4.5 per cent cut in turn for the slabs of higher consumption."
The new tariff will be enforced as of February 1 this year, he pointed out. "Customers need to update their data in person or online, including their mobile numbers and email addresses, in Fewa system to be eligible for the new reduction."
However, the old tariff (45 fils) shall remain unchanged for commercial units, hotels, and labour camps, he clarified. "Fewa, to ease customers' financial burdens, also cancelled the due fees (Dh100-1,000) for land service free certificate in the fourth quarter of 2018."
The deposits paid for the second house of Emirati citizen has also been reduced in the beginning of the last quarter of 2018, "Saleh said. "Customers need to update their data in Fewa system to enjoy these cuts and get back their deposits."
 
Residents' happy
Fewa's decision to slash tariff has evoked an overwhelming response from expatriates in Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah.
Sherif Al Wakil, an expatriate at the New Industrial Area in Ajman, said, "We were paying more for electricity consumption than the residents living in buildings owned by Emiratis."
Khalid Saber, another expatriate staying in Dahan area in Ras Al Khaimah, said what was more ridiculous was that their neighbours, also expatriates, were charged only 28 Fils per kW. "When enquired, we were told that the difference in tariff - 17 fils per kW - was because the landlord of their building is an Emirati."
Ashraf Saaed, an expat who is a resident of Al Nuaimiya in Ajman, said they were angry with their landlord for charging them 40 fils per kilowatt for generator-produced power.
"But we were in a bigger for a shock when Fewa charged us 45 fils per kilowatt - 5 fils more."
This will not be the case anymore with the current reduction, he added. "With this amended tariff, the less we consume, the less we pay."

• UAE
• Dubai