The measures include shutting shops, malls, restaurants, and cafes at 9 pm—extended to 10 pm on Fridays and Saturdays—starting 28 March for one month, Madbouly said at a cabinet briefing.
Street lighting will be reduced to minimum levels, and all roadside advertising lights switched off.
Government offices will close at 6 pm after the Eid Al-Fitr holiday, with the remaining administrative work carried out remotely.
Madbouly said the steps are aimed at easing pressure on the power grid amid volatility in global energy markets linked to escalating tensions involving the US-Israeli war on Iran.
He added that the government is considering allowing some public-sector employees to work from home one or two days a week, though the policy would not apply to essential services requiring full on-site staffing.
The prime minister said ministers and provincial governors would be required to enforce the measures, describing the situation as one requiring “decisive action” to reduce consumption.
Madbouly said the government had anticipated the eventuality of a crisis from the outset of the war in the region and had been studying measures to mitigate its impact on both the state and citizens, stressing a commitment to transparency.
He said energy remains the backbone of the economy, spanning petroleum products, natural gas, and electricity, much of which depends on gas for generation.
Egypt’s monthly natural gas import bill has risen from $560 million before the outbreak of the US-Israeli war on Iran to $1.65 billion, an increase of about $1.1 billion per month, driven by the need to secure supplies for electricity generation, industry, and employment, he said.
On oil markets, Madbouly noted that crude prices rose from $69 per barrel before the conflict to $93 when recent price adjustments were made, before declining to $87.
Prices have since climbed to $108.5 per barrel amid reports of attacks on oil facilities in Iran, he said, warning that projections suggest they could reach between $150 and $200 if the situation escalates further.
He added that even at $105 per barrel, crude prices would be roughly 50 percent higher than pre-war levels.
Madbouly said diesel (solar), a key input across sectors, had risen from $665 per tonne before the war to $1,604, while liquefied petroleum gas increased from $510 per tonne to between $720 and $730, marking a rise of about 33 to 34 percent.
Egypt’s monthly energy bill has effectively doubled, or reached up to 2.5 times previous levels, placing a heavy burden on the state, he said.
The duration of the war remains the main uncertainty, with some estimates suggesting it could last several months or even until the end of 2026.
Madbouly said recent domestic price increases were based on oil at $93 per barrel, but the current surge makes it unsustainable to rely solely on price hikes, underscoring the need for parallel measures, particularly to rationalise consumption.
He called on citizens to reduce electricity use, limit unnecessary travel, and adopt more efficient consumption patterns.
The government has begun implementing spending controls, including postponing or suspending selected budget items for two months to build reserves for potential emergency measures, he said.
Among immediate steps, diesel-intensive projects have been delayed for one month, with the possibility of extension depending on developments.
Madbouly said the government is taking a gradual approach to avoid disrupting economic activity, to reduce the energy bill without fuelling further inflation.
He added that the state remains committed to maintaining industrial production and ensuring the availability of goods, pointing to improved supply conditions compared with shortages seen in 2023 and 2024.
Some industries currently hold raw material reserves sufficient for up to a year, he said.
Madbouly said the measures form part of Egypt’s response to what he described as an unprecedented global energy shock, aimed at safeguarding economic stability while limiting the burden on citizens.
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