Saudi Arabia’s Electricity & Cogeneration Regulatory Authority (Ecra) will have the right to amend non-residential electricity tariffs, according to a decision by the Council of Ministers on 5 October.

The council was previously solely responsible for tariff changes in the country. The cabinet based its decision on a report prepared by Electricity & Water Minister Abdullah al-Hussayen. He is also chairman of the Ecra board.

The decision will allow Ecra to alter tariffs for commercial, industrial and residential consumers.

The regulator will also be able to amend and approve tariffs provided they do not exceed SR0.26 ($0.07) a kilowatt hour. The cabinet will retain exclusive responsibility for residential tariffs.