Why Egypt is imposing harsher punishment in electricity law amendment

The draft legislation, endorsed in principle by the Senate’s Legislative Committee, chaired by Counsellor Hosni Abdel Latif, seeks to crack down on widespread power theft, illegal connections, and violations committed both by consumers and sector employees. Lawmakers say the changes are necessary to curb financial losses and protect the national grid from deliberate damage.

Under the amendments, penalties outlined in Articles 70 and 71 of the law will be significantly stiffened, while a newly added Article 71 introduces a formal reconciliation mechanism for past offences, Youm7 reports.

According to the committee, the move specifically targets two problems: the increasing frequency of electricity theft, often involving the manipulation of meters or tapping into the grid, and violations by employees who knowingly supply power unlawfully or fail to report breaches.

Article 70, which applies to electricity-sector staff, has been rewritten to impose a minimum one-year prison sentence and fines ranging from 100,000 to 1 million Egyptian pounds on workers who illegally supply electricity, intentionally deny licensed services or conceal violations. Previously, the maximum penalty was six months in prison and a 50,000-pound fine. Repeat offenders will now face doubled penalties.

Article 71, concerning electricity theft by individuals or entities, has also been sharply toughened. Those found guilty of illegally obtaining electricity will face at least one year in prison or fines between 100,000 and 1 million pounds. If the theft results in a power outage, imprisonment becomes mandatory. Offenders who tamper with electrical equipment to steal power will face a minimum two-year sentence and fines of up to 2 million.

In all cases, convicted individuals must pay double the value of stolen electricity as well as the full cost of repairing damage.