Iraqi private generators begin full shutdown in Baghdad, other cities

BAGHDAD, Iraq — The Iraqi Private Generators Union said private generator owners in Baghdad and other cities have begun fully shutting down their operations, with Union head Dergham Shuwayri identifying September 1, 2025 as the deadline set for the closures. Shuwayri said generator owners have faced unprecedented difficulties, with electricity outages reaching continuous stretches of up to 20 hours. He said it was unacceptable for the state to allocate only 30 liters of diesel per megawatt per month while requiring generators to operate for 18 hours, adding that provincial councils have set a maximum tariff of 15,000 dinars per ampere. Shuwayri also said Prime Minister's Office and Council of Ministers decisions have not been implemented, with municipal fees on generators remaining in place. He reported that the price of 1,000 liters of diesel has climbed to 1.3 million dinars, a level he said exceeds that of one gold mithqal.