Bahrain MPs Unanimously Back Restoration of Old Electricity, Water Subsidies for First Homes

Bahraini families facing steep summer electricity and water bills may receive financial relief after lawmakers unanimously approved an urgent proposal on Tuesday to reinstate earlier subsidised tariff rates for citizens’ primary residences. The initiative, spearheaded by newly appointed legislative and legal affairs committee chairman Dr Abdulhakim Al Sheno and four other members of parliament, has been forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration.

Dr Al Sheno argued that rising living expenses, housing costs, and banking obligations are increasingly straining household budgets, especially for 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.

Soaring Summer Consumption Drives Bills Up

The lawmaker highlighted Bahrain’s long, hot summers, during which air conditioning and water usage spike, pushing many households into higher tariff brackets and leaving them with substantially larger monthly charges. “The burden is particularly acute for extended families sharing a single home and electricity meter while waiting for housing services,” Dr Al Sheno added.

Under the current domestic electricity tariff system for citizens’ first homes, consumption is billed 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. Any usage beyond 7,000 units costs 32 fils per unit. This structure means that once consumption crosses the subsidised thresholds, families can face a steep cost increase, particularly when multiple households share the same property.

Previous Tariff System Seen as More Affordable

Dr Al Sheno noted that the earlier tariff regime offered more favourable rates: the first three tiers were charged at three, nine, and 16 fils per unit respectively, while the fourth tier cost 30 fils or more per unit. He also pointed to changes in water tariffs, which he said have 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.

Call for Urgent Government Action

The proposal urges the government to act swiftly, in coordination with the Electricity and Water Authority (EWA), to reinstate the former tariff structure and ease financial pressure on households. Dr Al Sheno said the measure would also help prevent families from falling into arrears or resorting to borrowing to cover essential household expenses. The MPs said the proposal reflects the need for closer cooperation between the legislative and executive branches to address citizens’ priority concerns and support sustainable economic growth.

On Monday, the Cabinet introduced a new fixed monthly billing system, allowing consumers to pay a set amount based on their average consumption, with the system backdated to May.