New energy tariffs in Abu Dhabi to penalise waste

This content was originally posted in 7DAYS UAE website at: New energy tariffs in Abu Dhabi to penalise waste Families say they will have to be more frugal with resources to cope with the cost of higher water and electricity tariffs due to be introduced in Abu Dhabi from January. Abu Dhabi Distribution Company on Sunday announced that households that use anything over the set threshold will be charged more per litre and kilowatt hour (kWh). The charge for expat families will increase from Dhs9.90 for 1,000 litres to Dhs10.55 for those who use more than 5,000 litres a day in a villa, or 700 litres in a flat. UAE nationals will not be affected by the changes. Authorities said those who use less than those amounts will pay the same rates – Dhs5.95 for 1,000 litres – as they have paid this year. Expat families who use more than 200kWh of electricity a day will be charged at Dhs0.381 per 1kWh, compared to this year’s rate of Dhs0.21 for those who use less electricity. The move is intended to reward families that are careful with their energy use and encourage others to watch their usage. Lebanese expat Salem Hassan, who lives in a villa on Moroor Road with 10 members of his family, says they will have to cut down on water and electricity usage to avoid the higher rate. “I’m already paying around Dhs1,300 a month for electricity and water,” he said. “And with the new tariffs, the monthly bills could reach more than Dhs1,500 if we don’t reduce consumption. I won’t be able to afford the increased rate every month.” Hassan said his family will switch off lights more often and will make sure they are not leaving taps running. Indian expat Hamdan Anwar, 38, lives with his family of seven adults and two children in a four-bedroom flat in the Bateen area. He said: “This year, we have been paying between Dhs750 to Dhs900 a month for the electricity and water. He said: “It’s good that the new tariffs are only targeting those using higher amounts of water and electricity and are not rising across the board. Currently we are using efficient energy- saving lamps in all the rooms and also switch off the AC, especially in the cooler months.” And Kenyan expat Bob Menya, who resides in a two-bed flat in Khalidiyah with his wife, sister and their two small daughters said they hope to escape any extra charges, having cut down on running baths because of last year’s hike. He said: “We pay between Dhs400 and Dhs500 a month, up from Dhs200-Dhs300 the year before. Unlike this year, I don’t believe next year’s tariffs will affect us.” ismail@7days.ae Read the original story at: New energy tariffs in Abu Dhabi to penalise waste