Hasakah’s Energy Pricing Crisis: High Electricity Rates Amid Fuel Quality Crisis and Delayed Pricing Reforms

HASAKAH, North and East Syria — Despite the recent strengthening of the Syrian Pound (SP) against the US Dollar (USD), the price of privately generated electricity in Hasakah, North and East Syria, remains unchanged. Residents continue to pay 15,000 SP per ampere — equivalent to $1.50 USD — based on an older exchange rate when the dollar was valued at 16,000 SP.

Meanwhile, other cities in the region, including Al-Hol and Amuda, adjusted their pricing late last month, with Beth Zalin (Qamishli) following suit this week. This disparity has left many Hasakah residents questioning why they are still paying inflated electricity rates while neighboring communities benefit from revised tariffs. The situation has deepened frustration in a city already struggling with economic challenges.

Pricing Decision Pending Amid Delays

In response to growing concerns, SyriacPress spoke with members of Hasakah’s Municipal Generator Committee about the delays in pricing adjustments. Abdul-Razzaq Ahmed, a committee member, confirmed that a specialized team is currently reviewing the pricing structure and is expected to make a decision soon.

However, Ahmed pointed to a unique challenge in Hasakah: the poor quality of diesel fuel. Unlike other areas, Hasakah receives low-grade diesel that is dense and laden with impurities, frequently causing damage to power generators. Ahmed explained that this issue forces generator owners to undertake costly and frequent repairs, making it financially unfeasible to lower prices at this time.

Fuel Quality a Key Obstacle

To address these challenges, the Committee has been conducting routine inspections and holding meetings with generator operators to gather their feedback and concerns. Additionally, the local fuel authority has been alerted to the urgent issue of substandard diesel and its harmful effects on generator performance.

A recent high-level meeting involving municipal officials, city administrators, and the Union of Generators resulted in an agreement to finalize a price adjustment soon. However, generator owners argue that price changes alone will not resolve the problem. Without an improvement in fuel quality, operational challenges are expected to continue.

Desperate Measures: Generator Owners Resort to Open Flames

The fuel crisis has driven some generator operators to take drastic measures. According to Ahmed, some are forced to preheat their diesel with open flames before use, as the thick sludge and impurities in the fuel frequently clog their machinery. This additional step not only increases operational costs but also poses significant fire hazards.

Moreover, the inefficiency of low-grade diesel has led to a sharp increase in fuel consumption, placing an even heavier financial burden on generator owners. As a result, prolonged power outages have become more frequent, further compounding the difficulties faced by Hasakah’s residents, who depend on these generators for their daily electricity needs.

Will Prices Drop? Prospects for an Adjustment

Despite the ongoing crisis, Ahmed suggested that a rate reduction might still be possible. However, generator owners remain doubtful, arguing that without an improvement in fuel quality, lowering the ampere price would only worsen their financial losses.

Comparisons with other cities highlight the disparity. In some areas, ampere rates have dropped to as low as $1, thanks to access to higher-quality diesel, which allows generators to operate more efficiently and at lower costs. Without a similar improvement in Hasakah, a price cut could force some generator operators out of business, leading to even more severe electricity shortages.

Waiting Game: Will a New Tariff Be Fair?

For now, Hasakah’s residents remain in limbo, awaiting an official decision on the new pricing structure. The central question persists: will the forthcoming adjustment strike a fair balance between affordability for residents and sustainability for generator operators?

While many are eager for lower electricity costs, the larger issue — fuel quality — remains unresolved. Without a long-term solution to the diesel crisis, even a reduced ampere price may do little to ease the burden on Hasakah’s struggling population.