Enab Baladi – Aleppo

Years of war have deprived the residents of Aleppo of the most basic services, primarily electricity, which has been an early victim lost by the population since 2013, coinciding with intensified battles between regime forces and the opposition in the city. The electricity was cut off for nearly a full year during that time.

After 11 years, and despite the regime’s control over the city since the end of 2016, electricity is no longer as it once was. Electricity rationing in Aleppo is not like that in other governorates, as there is no organized schedule determining the times for connection and disconnection nor the number of hours for each.

Ampere subscriptions: An expensive solution

For years, the weekly fees for “amperes” have been added to a long list of financial burdens weighing heavily on the residents of Aleppo amid deteriorating living conditions and a historic decline in purchasing power.

The residents’ despair over the returning of regular electricity to an acceptable state that meets their basic needs has driven them to seek alternatives, and thus the rise of ampere generators became the most suitable solution.

Massive generators have invaded the neighborhoods of Aleppo, and their tangled wires extending to almost every home have become a defining characteristic of the city’s neighborhoods from east to west. Initially, “amperes” were seen as a relief for Aleppo residents deprived of electricity, but they quickly transformed into an essential burden.

70,000 pounds for a weekly ampere subscription 

The price of one ampere in Aleppo has risen to 70,000 Syrian pounds (about 5 US dollars) at a minimum per week, for seven hours of operation daily.

Mustafa (39), who lives in the Salah al-Din neighborhood, stated that the owner of the generator he subscribes to for electricity provides service for 70,000 pounds weekly for the evening operating period from 5 PM to midnight.

He added that the generator owner also offers subscriptions for morning and evening services, with operation from noon until midnight for 110,000 pounds weekly for each ampere.

Mrs. Nihal (54), who resides in the al-Faid neighborhood of Aleppo, describes her struggles with “amperes” by saying that she tries to manage with one ampere to reduce costs, while on the other hand, she needs at least three amperes to run the refrigerator and keep food from spoiling.

She mentioned that it is impossible to rely on waiting for government electricity due to the irregularity of its timing and the number of hours it is available.

The price is considered high compared to the economic and living situation, as the minimum government salaries are 279,000 Syrian pounds (18 US dollars).

Double the official price

In August 2023, the price-setting committee in Aleppo province announced that the official price for one hour of operation of ampere generators is 775 Syrian pounds, meaning the weekly price for seven hours of operation should not exceed 38,000 pounds, while it actually reaches 70,000 pounds and above.

“Taha,” a pseudonym for one of the ampere generator owners in the al-A’zamiya neighborhood, justifies the price hike by the scarcity of diesel and its rising price in the black market.

He stated that the price per liter of diesel ranges between 12,000 and 16,000 Syrian pounds, depending on how available the quantity is or if it decreases, which automatically reflects on the price of ampere subscriptions.

He added that it does not stop at the price of diesel, as the generator requires regular maintenance in addition to the wages of the workers and the profit margin he is entitled to collect. He also noted that he continuously pays for inspections from trade and municipal patrols that regularly visit him to collect sums.

Missing solutions

There is a general feeling in the city of Aleppo that it is deliberately being mistreated regarding its electricity supply. Despite the announcement of the activation of the fifth generation station at the Aleppo Thermal Power Station since July 2022, the electrical reality in the city has not improved.

In November 2023, Jafal al-Jafal, a member of the Executive Office of Aleppo governorate, stated to the local Athr Press website that the amount of electricity supplied to Aleppo ranges between 200 and 220 megawatts, of which 80 megawatts is distributed to the industrial city in Sheikh Najjar, and 70 megawatts for the industrial areas within the city, with the remaining quantity distributed to residential neighborhoods according to a rationing schedule.

These quantities are not enough to supply households with more than two hours every 12 hours or more, with some neighborhoods experiencing power cuts lasting up to 18 hours versus two hours of power on, and official electricity does not reach all neighborhoods of the city.

The majority of the neighborhoods in eastern Aleppo still lack regular electricity and rely entirely on ampere subscriptions, despite their high cost compared to the dire financial conditions of the residents in those areas.

The issue of “amperes” continues to be part of the daily struggles faced by Syrians, who are now striving to obtain the simplest essentials of life. Turning on a light, fan, or television at home has become a luxury, and they have to pay for it with their entire monthly salaries while working longer hours to meet their basic needs along with their families.