Sharjah Electricity & Water Authority raised its power tariffs for foreigners in the emirate on 2 October.

It hiked the cost of electricity from AED0.2 ($0.05) to AED0.3 a kWh for residential and commercial consumers. Industrial customers will pay AED0.4 instead of AED0.33 a kWh.

The authority last increased its tariffs in early 2008 when it raised them from AED0.17 a kWh for commercial and residential users and from AED0.20 a kWh for industrial consumers.

The tariff for UAE nationals remains unchanged at 0.075 a kWh.

Sharjah residents have responded negatively to the news of the increase. Frequent power cuts in the emirate this summer have made the move all the more unpalatable.