Iraq cuts power to private firms over unpaid debts, ends emergency exemptions

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Ministry of Electricity said it will cut electricity supply to private-sector institutions that have failed to pay their bills and will revoke emergency exemptions previously granted to them. The ministry said the new policy targets organizations that have delayed their financial obligations to the state, with the electricity connections of non-paying institutions to be disconnected and any emergency energy supply exemptions to be canceled. Ministry officials said a list of indebted institutions has been compiled and the disconnection process has begun. They described the measure as part of efforts to recover state receivables and enforce a consistent payment discipline in the energy sector. The ministry noted that exemptions previously granted under emergency justifications will no longer be valid. Institutions that settle their debts or present an approved payment plan will continue to receive their current electricity supply, it added.