The Egyptian Electricity Holding Company has addressed concerns over the appearance of a "debt" or "outstanding balance" when loading prepaid electricity meters. According to the company, this does not indicate a fault with the meter or a fine imposed on the subscriber. Instead, it relates to accounting adjustments for price differences and applicable fees under the new pricing system for coded meters.
The new pricing system for coded meters, which began on April 1, 2026, charges a uniform rate of 2.74 pounds per kilowatt-hour. Electronically programmed meters calculate consumption under this new system. When a user loads a prepaid card, the meter performs an automatic accounting adjustment for differences between the previous and new pricing methods. This may result in a portion of the loaded amount being deducted and displayed as an "outstanding balance".
The adjustment accounts for actual electricity consumption since the beginning of the month until the prepaid card was loaded. The meter then calculates any due differences under the applied system. Existing credit from the previous month does not prevent this adjustment from being made when the meter data is updated and recharged. This can lead to a deduction from the new loaded amount and the appearance of an "outstanding balance".
The company emphasizes that this "debt" represents accounting differences, not fines or penalties. It advises distinguishing between these differences and other fees or services that may be deducted from the meter balance, such as cleaning fees and customer service charges. Users are encouraged to load prepaid cards during the first five days of each month to minimize accumulated accounting differences.
The Egyptian Electricity Holding Company manages and maintains the national electricity grid. Prepaid meters have been introduced to provide users with greater control over their electricity consumption and expenses. The new pricing system aims to improve the efficiency and sustainability of the national electricity grid.
Users who experience issues with their prepaid meters can contact the Egyptian Electricity Holding Company's customer service department for assistance. The company continues to work on improving its services and addressing customer concerns. The clarification aims to inform users about the reasons behind the appearance of an "outstanding balance" on their prepaid meters.
The Egyptian government has been working to upgrade and expand the national electricity grid to meet increasing demand. Part of this effort involves introducing new pricing systems and prepaid meters to promote efficient energy consumption. The government aims to provide reliable and affordable electricity to all citizens while ensuring the long-term sustainability of the national grid.
Key points
- The "debt" displayed on prepaid meters represents accounting differences due to the new pricing system.
- The Egyptian Electricity Holding Company advises users to load prepaid cards during the first five days of each month.
- The new pricing system for coded meters began on April 1, 2026, at a rate of 2.74 pounds per kilowatt-hour.
