AMMAN: An official says Jordan plans to raise electricity prices at least 9 percent to offset losses caused by the cutoff of Egyptian gas.
The increase could spark an outcry among Jordanians, who have been demanding that utility prices remain unchanged. Jordanians have been hit by waves of soaring food and fuel prices.
A pipeline carrying Egyptian gas to Jordan and Israel has been blown up 10 times in the past few months in Egypt, cutting off the supply.
Jordan depends on Egyptian gas to generate 80 percent of its electricity.
Electricity Commissioner Ahmed Hyasat says the loss of Egyptian gas has already cost Jordan $1.4 million.
Detailing the planned increase, he said Thursday a more substantial loss is predicted unless the price hike is implemented as of March 1.
