Faulty electricity meters are to blame for a spate of billing errors in Bahrain this year, according to a senior MP.
Ahmed Al Ansari told the GDN that officials from the Electricity and Water Authority (EWA) had confirmed the problems were caused by newly installed “smart” meters.
Bahrain purchased meters from Swiss firm Landis+Gyr, the same company that supplied faulty meters to US utility giant Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), which announced it was replacing 1,600 of the devices in September last year.
PG&E said the faulty meters were occasionally running fast and overcharging customers.
Mr Al Ansari said it could cost “millions” to replace the meters deployed in Bahrain.
“We are continuously following up with the EWA on this matter, as we are receiving a lot of complaints on the high electricity bills,” said Mr Al Ansari.
“During our earlier meetings the EWA officials have agreed that there was error in the reading of the digital meters.
“Those meters need to be replaced, which will take time and will cost us millions – but it has to be done as this situation cannot continue with people and businesses suffering.”
The GDN previously reported that, from June to November this year, Bahrainis would be charged the same as last year if their power bills were higher than the corresponding months in 2018.
That was spurred by widespread dissatisfaction at rising charges, which also prompted His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, to order an investigation.
Mr Al Ansari said it was possible that those who had paid more than they were supposed to could receive credit towards future bills, rather than a refund.
“For those who paid high amounts, and if it has been found that it was due to a (meter) reading error, the EWA officials suggested that the amount they paid could be held as credit, from which they can deduct the subsequent bill amounts,” he said.
“We are closely following up on all these and we also met the new minister last week and highlighted the concerns of the public.”
Mr Al Ansari is among 30 MPs who signed a petition in July demanding a change in the way electricity charges were calculated for Bahraini households.
“People are going through a rough time financially, with many losing their jobs as businesses are closing down,” he said.
“Most of the apartments are empty and rents are lowered, which shows the real estate market is struggling.
“Both expats and citizens are equally affected and one of the major things that affected them is the electricity and water bills.”
The GDN reported last month that a proposal to almost halve electricity and water bills for expats has been tabled by the National Action Charter Bloc in parliament.
That is based on concerns about the impact of high utility costs on the real estate market.
Bahrainis qualify for a subsidised electricity rate of 3 fils per unit, but if they exceed 3,000 units in a month the rate increases to 9 fils per unit for additional electricity consumed.
Those who exceed 5,000 units are charged 16 fils for each unit above this amount.
However, since March expats are charged 29 fils per unit – 866 per cent more than their Bahraini neighbours – prompting claims that the billing system discriminates against foreigners, who make up 55pc of the population.
Consumers in Bahrain also started paying five per cent VAT on utility bills, among other products and services, from January 1.
Neither Landys+Gyr nor the EWA responded to GDN requests for comment.
raji@gdn.com.bh
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