Cairo: Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Mahmoud Essmat outlined on Thursday, March 19, 2026, the ministry's plan to improve the quality of electricity supply during the Eidul-Fitr holiday, ensure uninterrupted services to citizens, and continue implementing new operating patterns aimed at reducing technical losses, cutting fuel consumption, and maintaining grid stability and sustainability.
According to State Information Service Egypt, the minister called for intensified inspection campaigns to review completed maintenance work, citing reports from ministry committees, the Egyptian Electricity Holding Company, and its affiliates nationwide across generation, transmission, and distribution. The reports confirmed preparedness for the holiday period, including securing the grid against potential outages, ramping up maintenance activities, and increasing the number of emergency teams.
Essmat stressed the need to form additional round-the-clock emergency teams, alongside existing work groups in each area, to ensure uninterrupted power supply and rapid response to any faults, especially in locations designated for Eid prayers, service facilities, and densely populated areas. He also highlighted the importance of ensuring the readiness of mobile generators to provide alternative power in emergencies, as well as real-time monitoring of complaints received via the 121 hotline and the unified online platform.
Working hours at customer service centers have been extended until 10 pm to facilitate services, including meter recharging and meeting citizens' needs, said the minister. Coordination has also been made regarding periodic maintenance programs during the holiday to ensure high-quality and efficient service delivery, he added.
Essmat emphasized direct supervision by heads of electricity transmission and distribution companies to review lines and networks, ongoing field inspections by maintenance teams nationwide, and checks on all electrical components, kiosks, cables, stations, transformers, and distribution networks. He said field follow-ups will continue throughout the holiday, particularly in high-load areas, alongside raising public awareness on legal means of obtaining electricity for temporary activities associated with Eid celebrations. A central emergency room at the ministry will monitor implementation across all governorates to ensure operational efficiency and service quality.
Continued upgrades to transmission and distribution networks have significantly enhanced the ability to secure power supply and respond quickly to outages. In this regard, multiple projects have been implemented, including new overhead lines and high- and extra-high-voltage substations, as well as upgrades to existing infrastructure, supporting the integration of large capacities from new and renewable energy sources, added the minister.