The Electricity Ministry is seeking cabinet approval to install prepaid meters for illegal buildings, Egyptian Electricity Holding Company (EEHC) Chairman Gaber El Desouki said, according to Al Mal. The ministry stopped installing prepaid meters in June 2018 but is now revising that decision in a bid to reduce the illegal consumption of electricity. Buildings lacking construction permits are legally unable to be connected to the electricity grid, forcing the owners either to live without power or steal electricity.