DAMASCUS, Nov. 6 (Xinhua) — Syrians are grappling with the interim government’s recent decision to sharply increase electricity prices, a move that has sparked widespread concern over its impact on household budgets and small businesses already struggling from years of economic hardship.
Earlier this week, Syrian energy authorities introduced a new four-tier electricity tariff system, raising household rates by as much as sixtyfold. Officials said the measure aims to reform the power sector, reduce state losses, and improve supply reliability. Currently, electricity production requires nearly 10 million cubic meters of gas daily, much of which is imported.
The new rates set the first bracket — for consumption up to 300 kilowatt-hours (kWh) every two months — at 600 Syrian pounds (5 U.S. cents) per kWh, which remains 60 percent subsidized, according to officials. Previously, Syrians paid 10 pounds per kWh. The second bracket, covering those who exceed that limit, will pay 1,400 pounds per kWh, while public institutions and factories will pay 1,700 pounds per kWh, and heavy industries such as smelters 1,800 pounds per kWh.
According to official figures, the average monthly salary in the public sector is about 1 million Syrian pounds, while a typical household electricity bill could now exceed a quarter of that amount.
While authorities argue that the adjustment will create a more stable and sustainable electricity network, many Syrians say the timing and scale of the increase are overwhelming.
In a residential building in Damascus’s Mazzeh district, Alaa’ Sabouni, a 35-year-old pharmacist, said her family has already started extreme rationing.
“No more unnecessary lights here and there, only the bulb in the room that we are staying in,” she said. “I even asked my daughter to finish her homework early, before nightfall. We’re trying to save every possible kilowatt.”
For Mohammad Salem, a 43-year-old taxi driver, the rising bills are already affecting daily routines. “At the end of the day, when I go home, a high electricity bill means that I need to make more money, and where do I get that from? That’s why I’ve started asking for extra fares,” he said.
To cut costs, Salem has also started unplugging his refrigerator at night. “I’d rather lose some vegetables than spend a big chunk of my income on electricity.”
Small businesses have also been hit hard. At a cafe near Hijaz Square, the owner, Abu Hassan, said the rising cost of running his machines will likely force him to reconsider his prices.
“I have an espresso machine and other coffee and beverage makers. Instead of asking, for example, for 10,000 Syrian pounds, I’m now asking for 15,000,” he said. “At the end of the day, I have two electricity bills — one here and one at home. Unfortunately, I’ll have to raise my prices to cope with this change,” he lamented.
The 50-year-old added that he’s even considered bringing in a gas burner, but that’s expensive too. “If things keep going like this, many small cafes and bakeries will have to close or raise their prices, and people won’t like that.”
Energy-intensive sectors such as metalwork and carpentry are also reporting losses. Khaled Juha, who runs a small aluminum workshop in Barzeh, northwest of Damascus, said his monthly electricity costs have nearly doubled.
“I can’t pass these costs to customers, people are already struggling,” he said. “Some workshops are cutting night shifts to reduce electricity use, but even that’s not sustainable.”
Damascus-based economist Razi Mohieddin warned that the sudden rise in electricity prices could trigger “a social and economic shock,” potentially forcing the government to reconsider the scale of the increase.
“The state should act as a fair regulator, not a rent-collector,” he said. “Real reform lies in opening the energy market for local investment and renewable projects that lower costs and improve service.”
Damascus-based political analyst Anas Joudeh described the hike as “a heavy burden for low- and middle-income families,” calling for more transparency and a phased implementation to protect vulnerable groups.
Public discontent has spilled onto the streets in several cities. On Monday, residents of Salamiyah, in central Hama province, held a small protest outside the local electricity company, chanting slogans such as “Electricity is our right, not a luxury.” The following day, neighborhood committees in Damascus’s Mazzeh district issued a statement urging authorities to review the decision, warning that it could lead to illegal power tapping and social unrest.
Despite the criticism, the authorities insist the measure will help improve electricity availability. Officials said daily supply has already increased from about one hour to up to eight hours in some areas and could reach 14 hours in the coming months.
