“The new pricing is unfair and illogical compared to income and wages, and it will lead to higher prices and production costs, pushing small producers out of the market and increasing unemployment.” This is how one Syrian expressed his anger at the decision to raise electricity prices, which took effect on November 1, 2025.
A wave of discontent spread across social media and local platforms, with Syrians expressing fears about the impact of the decision on the already unbearable cost of living in a country that has suffered for years from war, weak purchasing power, and accelerating inflation.
One user commented sarcastically, “Do not use electricity… only run what is absolutely necessary at home.”
Another added, “The problem is not the price, but the income. Electricity may still be relatively cheap, but it consumes a large share of citizens’ income compared to neighboring countries.”
Others told +963 that their bills now exceed half of an average employee’s salary, calling the decision an “economic disaster” that increases poverty and leaves families facing hard choices.
One asked, “If the new bill exceeds half my salary, how can an employee survive on what’s left?”
Some, however, noted that the decision might encourage the use of solar energy, while others argued that it should have been accompanied by a government commitment to raise wages in both public and private sectors, something that has yet to happen.
These reactions reflect a shared feeling among Syrians that the price increase comes at a time when the electricity supply has not improved. Long hours of rationing continue, and citizens still rely heavily on costly private generators (“ampere systems”) to meet their basic needs.
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The Government’s Decision and Its Justifications
The Syrian interim government decided to increase electricity tariffs as part of its “sector reform” plan, describing the step as essential to addressing annual losses estimated at one billion dollars, improving supply stability, and modernizing infrastructure while encouraging investment in the energy sector.
Ahmad Suleiman, Director of Government Communications at the Ministry of Energy, stated that the decision also applies to government institutions, which consume about 30 percent of total electricity production and will now pay from their own budgets. He added that the increased revenues would be used to improve transmission and distribution networks and secure the necessary fuel for generation.
Minister of Energy Mohammed al-Bashir wrote on X, “Adjusting the tariff is a fundamental first step toward reforming Syria’s electricity system to enhance efficiency and sustainability,” adding that future measures would include installing smart meters, increasing generation capacity, and reducing technical and commercial losses.
For his part, Minister of Economy and Industry Nidal al-Shaar said the aim of the increase is to “correct outdated policies” and build a sustainable energy sector, confirming that the state has begun raising public sector wages and is working with private sector employers to help families adapt to the new prices.
The Sharp Rise in Prices
A comparison between the old and new prices shows the magnitude of the increase in the electricity sector. Before the war, the price per kilowatt-hour (for the 0–600 kWh bracket) was only 10 Syrian pounds. By 2023, it had risen to 150 Syrian pounds. Now, in 2025, the price has reached 600 Syrian pounds.
For the second bracket (601–1000 kWh), the price rose from 25 pounds before the war to 450 in 2023, and now stands at 1,400 under the new tariff, meaning the first subsidized bracket has increased roughly 60 times over its pre-war rate.
The government also restructured the consumption brackets, limiting them to just two main ones. A 60 percent subsidy remains for household consumption up to 300 kWh, while industrial and commercial rates now range between 1,700 and 1,800 Syrian pounds per kilowatt-hour.
The New Electricity Tariff
The Ministry of Energy announced that the new tariff, part of the “sector reform” plan, is distributed as follows: First bracket (low income): less than 300 kWh at 600 SYP per kilowatt-hour. Second bracket (middle income): 1,400 SYP per kilowatt-hour. Third bracket (government institutions and companies): 1,700 SYP per kilowatt-hour. Fourth bracket (factories): 1,800 SYP per kilowatt-hour
The Electricity Reality in Numbers
Syria’s electricity demand is estimated at around 7,000 megawatts, while actual production is only about 2,200 megawatts due to shortages of fuel and gas required for generation. The country produces roughly 6 million cubic meters of gas per day, an amount insufficient to run power plants at full capacity.
Transmission networks and transformers across governorates are severely degraded and require complete rehabilitation. The government is working on a project to install 6.5 million prepaid smart meters, repair damaged generation plants, and import gas from Azerbaijan through Turkey as part of a grant from the Qatar Development Fund.
Economist Mohammad al-Alloush told +963 that the recent increase has raised serious concerns about its impact on the cost of goods and services, particularly in a country already suffering from weak purchasing power and rampant inflation.
He explained that electricity is a key component in every stage of production, and any price increase directly affects the final prices of goods. He described public discontent as justified, since the hike was not accompanied by tangible service improvements and power supply remains limited. He also criticized the lack of transparency regarding the real size of subsidies and losses.
Al-Alloush suggested several solutions, including restructuring tariffs transparently and fairly, providing direct support to low-income households, monitoring sector performance through regular reports, promoting energy-efficient appliances and renewable energy, and involving the private sector in solar and wind power investments.
The Fairness of the Bill and the Fairness of the Cost
Academic Khaled al-Baaj told +963 that the core challenge lies in finding a balance between “fairness of the bill for citizens” and “fairness of the cost for the state.”
He stressed that the solution should not be limited to revenue collection but must involve a comprehensive approach that improves service quality, links price hikes to a clear plan for gradually increasing supply hours, reduces technical and commercial losses, and enhances transparency through regular performance and production reports. He also highlighted the importance of facilitating renewable energy investment for individuals and institutions to ease citizens’ burdens in the future.
Syrians now face a complex reality, torn between their right to electricity as a basic service and the heavy weight of bills that strain household budgets.
Observers believe the message is clear: “Syrians will not accept higher prices unless they see real improvement in service. Genuine reform begins by addressing the roots of the crisis, deteriorating infrastructure, fuel shortages, and massive inefficiencies.”
Reforming Syria’s electricity sector requires a long-term strategy that includes investment in infrastructure, securing fuel, reducing waste, and promoting renewable energy. Prices must be tied to service quality rather than sudden hikes that only deepen the suffering of families.
