Consumers in the lowest consumption-based price tier may be exempt from electricity price hikes: A committee from the Egyptian Electric Utility and Consumer Protection Agency (Egyptera) has prepared scenarios for new electricity prices, including the possibility of exempting those who consume less than 300 kWh from the July hikes, a source from the agency tells Al Shorouk. A source from the Electricity Ministry said all scenarios will be considered, but lower consumption tiers will likely see a 10-20% increase in prices. As we noted last month, a ministry source had told the newspaper that tariffs for the lowest three residential consumption tiers will be hiked by 20-30%. The proposal will be sent to Cabinet for approval by the end of the month. The final decision will be announced around mid-July, after Cabinet signs off on the hikes, Electricity Minister Mohamed Shaker told the press yesterday.