Generators told to run 20 hours a day as fuel price returns to 400 dinars

BAGHDAD — Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi ordered subsidised fuel for private generators through September and required operators to provide at least 20 hours of electricity a day in combination with the national grid, two days after they announced a nationwide shutdown.

Fuel will be supplied at 400 dinars a litre with an allocation of 40 litres, according to a statement from his media office. Operators must keep current service schedules and ensure 20 hours of daily supply through alternating generator and grid power.

The price is double what was set in May, when the government approved 40 litres of gas oil per kilovolt of capacity a month at 200 dinars a litre — described at the time as half the previous subsidised rate of 400. Operators have complained that their allocations do not cover the hours they are required to run.

The Central Generator Committee said on Sunday that generators across Iraq would switch off at midnight in protest over taxes, fuel allocations and fees. The Council of Ministers postponed tax settlements for the sector until Nov. 1 last week, and Zaidi met operators in June and ordered fuel procedures simplified while operating hours were maintained.

Generation has fallen to about 21,000 MW against summer demand the Electricity Ministry put at 55,000 to 60,000 MW, leaving private generators as the main backup for homes, businesses and public institutions.