As winter power cuts beckon, Erbil governor sets deadline for new electric meters

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Electricity shortages are a common feature of the winter season in Erbil. To combat theft and excessive consumption, the province’s new governor has set a one month deadline for residents to install new electricity meters. The same goes for water usage. 

Governor Firsat Sofi told reporters in Erbil on Thursday he has discussed with Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani what punitive actions can be taken against those found stealing electricity and water. 

Sofi took office in September, replacing Nawzad Hadi who had held the post for 15 years. 

The new governor announced a one-month deadline for homeowners, farmers, and business holders to install electric and water meters or else face “legal measures” including fines, arrest, or having utilities cut. 

“We at the Erbil governorate will launch a campaign on December 1 to support this issue and solve the illegal electricity and stealing of electricity. We want to warn the resident of Erbil province that, after the deadline expires, those who still do not install the meter or have installed it but tricked the device … will be subject to our extended campaign,” the governor said. 

The Kurdistan Region suffers from electricity shortages during the winter and the summer and air conditioning units are turned to full blast.

The Region also regularly suffers water shortages in the summer months when there is less frequent rainfall. 

Mindful of the problem, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) previously introduced new electric and water meters. However, it failed to enforce their installation or monitor their usage, as residents found ways to trick the devices.

“More than 35-40 percent of electricity is lost” through waste and theft, Sofi said. “So our aim is to reduce it to standard level.”

Local government authorities across the Kurdistan Region have previously raided areas suspected of siphoning electricity and water illegally, but have failed to bring the practice under control. 

The new governor said his administration will “pardon” anyone who comes clean about their illegal siphoning and installs the new meters before the deadline. 

Homes and businesses across the Kurdistan Region rely heavily on private generators, which kick in when the 6-10 hours of public electricity runs dry.