The electricity billing process is under renewed focus, especially as Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani chaired a key meeting on Wednesday. Moreover, the session aimed to review performance, improve collection, and ensure better service delivery across Iraq. Officials emphasized that progress in this area directly impacts revenue and service sustainability.
First, the Prime Minister congratulated attendees on the holy month of Ramadan. Then, he instructed ministry staff, distribution companies, and maintenance teams to increase operational capacity. Furthermore, he stressed that all efforts must prioritize uninterrupted electricity service for citizens during this period.
During the meeting, the Undersecretary presented a comprehensive overview of the Ministry of Electricity’s recent procedures. Additionally, the report highlighted outcomes from previous meetings and noted that high-load electricity billing, covering industrial and commercial sectors, will fully transition to electronic billing by March next year.
The directors of the southern, central, Baghdad, and northern distribution companies submitted detailed updates. These updates included revenue collection, the number of meter readers, areas served, and total subscribers. Consequently, officials stressed the importance of improving collection rates to reduce waste and enhance service sustainability.
The Prime Minister confirmed that the government will evaluate ministry officials based on their performance in the electricity billing process. Indeed, he emphasized that accountability in revenue collection receives special attention due to its impact on national resources and service efficiency.
The meeting also tackled network violations and methods for addressing them. Officials discussed malfunctioning meters, proposals for reactivation, and the installation of smart meters. In addition, compatibility with the HES system was a key consideration in these plans. Moreover, the revenue collection from government departments across all governorates was reviewed.
The Prime Minister instructed officials to continue implementing previous meeting decisions. Specifically, efforts will focus on reducing losses, cutting expenses, achieving full meter reading rates, and maximizing revenue collection. In particular, high-load sectors and government departments will receive special attention to ensure efficient electricity billing.
Experts note that strengthening the electricity billing process not only boosts government revenue but also improves transparency and operational efficiency. By modernizing systems and holding officials accountable, Iraq aims to ensure sustainable electricity services for citizens nationwide.
As the government moves forward, the electricity billing process remains central to Iraq’s energy management strategy. Meanwhile, officials continue to monitor progress closely, ensuring that all improvements are implemented effectively.
