Abu Dhabi: Five months after the UAE’s Ministry of Energy deregulated fuel prices across the country, residents in Abu Dhabi can expect even further increases in their energy bills, with new tariffs for water and electricity.
The new rates, which come into effect starting this month, aim to encourage residents to rationalise their energy consumption, and contribute to efforts to sustain natural resources, according to Abu Dhabi Distribution Company (ADDC).
While the water tariff for expatriates will remain unchanged at Dh5.95 for 1,000 litres, those who exceed the daily limit of 700 litres in flats and 5,000 litres in villas will be charged Dh10.55 per 1,000 litres. The figure is an increase from the Dh9.9 rate last year.
The tariff for expatriates living in villas using up to 200 kilowatts of electricity per day will also remain flat, but those exceeding the limit will be charged 31.8 fils per kilowatt.
Expatriates living in apartments will have a daily limit of 20 kilowatts, and will be charged the same rates for exceeding the limit.
Falling oil prices
The rise in tariffs in Abu Dhabi comes at a time when various GCC countries are cutting energy subsidies to counter the effects of falling oil prices that are now at around $37. Last week, Saudi Arabia announced it would hike petrol and electricity prices after announcing an $87 billion (Dh319 billion) deficit in its 2016 budget.
In the past week, Oman also said it would amend the price of petrol to meet global prices starting January 15, while Bahrain’s cabinet approved a new pricing system for diesel and kerosene.
