8,461 register with ‘Hafez’ to promote energy and water conservation

The Ministry of Water and Renewable Energy announced that 8,461 customers had registered in the “Hafez” program for electricity and water conservation as of July 22.

During a workshop held on Wednesday, Saud Al-Ajmi, Director of the Automated Center Department and Head of the “Hafez” Program Team, presented results from the program’s first operational year in 2021.

That year, 947 citizens joined, including 513 who successfully reduced their electricity and water consumption. These participants settled outstanding dues totaling 266,000 dinars, while the Ministry paid them incentives worth 12,000 dinars.

Al-Ajmi emphasized the need for continued internal efforts to raise awareness about the program, which he described as the “green triangle” for its triple benefit: helping the state redirect savings from subsidies toward development projects, reducing environmental pollution, and rewarding citizens who adopt sustainable consumption habits.

He noted that government subsidies for energy production in 2024 will amount to 3 billion dinars.

The program offers discounts on electricity and water bills for ministry supervisors and cashback-style incentives for citizens living in private housing. Rather than direct payments, these amounts are credited to consumers’ billing accounts within the customer services system.

The initiative is based on Law No. 20 of 2016 concerning tariffs, specifically Article 5, which authorizes the Ministry to grant incentives to citizens who request utility services. All legal approvals for the program were obtained from the Fatwa and Legislation Authority and the Ministry of Finance.