As winter begins, cold weather and rising energy consumption have once again cast the shadow of a power outage crisis over the daily lives of people and their economic activities. These blackouts, often occurring without prior notice, have paralyzed both small and large businesses while placing additional pressure on households. The Hassanabad Market and Tehran’s Grand Bazaar, as the beating heart of urban commerce, are prime examples of locations now grappling with serious challenges under the weight of these blackouts.

This report explores the problems faced by shopkeepers and potential solutions to alleviate this crisis. Merchants in these areas, already struggling with an economic recession, now face another problem: sudden power outages that not only disrupt their economic activities but also diminish hopes for improvement.

A Crisis of Blackouts in the Market

“We can’t sell. When the power goes out, our shop is practically closed.” This simple yet bitter statement captures the plight of shopkeepers in Hassanabad Market. A seller who has been selling electrical equipment in this area for years says, “When the power goes out, customers don’t even come in to browse. In complete darkness, you can’t display products or talk to customers.” He highlights another problem: “Blackouts often damage electrical devices. Card readers, heating systems, even basic lighting—all rely on electricity. If the power goes out in the morning, the shop’s electric shutter won’t open, and if it happens at night, it won’t close. We’ve often had customers stuck in elevators or lifts, forcing us to pay extra costs for repairs or restoring normal operations.”

Factories Shutting Down and Endless Costs

The problems don’t end there. Many factories supplying goods to the market have halted production due to power outages. A manufacturer of industrial refrigerators explains: “We are closed two days a week because of power cuts. This means orders are delayed, and customers become more dissatisfied. But the main issue is the additional costs. When the factory is shut down, we still have to pay workers’ salaries, even though we have no income.” He adds, “In the past, factories solved the blackout problem by buying generators, but now the cost of generators has skyrocketed. How can a factory with little income afford a generator costing billions of tomans?”

A Market Struggling for Its Former Prosperity

Amid these challenges, businesses that were once thriving are now buckling under economic pressure. A shopkeeper in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar explains: “If these power cuts had happened in previous years, their impact would have been far greater. But now, with the market in such a slump, it doesn’t matter as much. There are fewer customers, and demand has dropped significantly.” He adds, “In the past, when the power went out, we considered buying a generator or alternative equipment. But now no one is willing to invest in shop equipment, let alone extras. People are so burdened with basic expenses like food and clothing that they can’t even think about buying non-essential items.”

Lack of Transparency in Planning

One of the shopkeepers’ major grievances is the lack of proper communication about blackout schedules. Many complain that sudden outages lead to greater losses. One shopkeeper says, “If we knew when the power would go out, at least we could plan accordingly. But when it happens without warning, work remains incomplete, and customers leave dissatisfied.” Another shopkeeper points out an interesting issue: “We need lighting to package goods. When the power is out, we can’t ensure that the products are packed properly. Customers complain that packages are damaged or not well-protected. This means redoing the work and incurring extra costs.”

Blackouts and the Role of the Government

For many shopkeepers, the government is the main culprit behind this situation. A seller in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar, referring to the taxes he pays annually, says: “We pay taxes but get nothing in return. Electricity, gas, water—everything is problematic. The government is responsible for providing basic services, but it seems they are avoiding this duty more and more.” He adds, “The government should lead by example. If energy consumption in government offices is managed, perhaps people will cooperate more. But when people see the government itself being wasteful, they lose trust.”

From Market Recession to the Threat of Bankruptcy

A business owner in Hassanabad Market, who sells office equipment, believes that power outages are just one of many problems businesses face. He says: “The market has been in bad shape for a long time. Customers buy less and usually look for cheaper products. In such circumstances, power outages are just the final blow.” This business owner adds: “If the government cannot improve energy infrastructure, many factories and businesses will go bankrupt. We can’t work without electricity, and if this continues, we won’t have the strength to carry on.”

What is the Solution?

Many shopkeepers believe there are solutions to this crisis. One suggestion is to use alternative energy sources. A manufacturer in the market says: “If the government takes investment in solar and wind energy seriously, we might solve part of this problem. But this requires planning and investment, which doesn’t seem to be a priority for the government right now.” Another solution is better communication about blackout schedules. Many shopkeepers believe that if they are informed in advance, they can plan better and suffer fewer losses. Despite widespread criticism of the government, many shopkeepers also believe that people can play an important role in reducing energy consumption. A shopkeeper in Hassanabad says: “People have become more aware of the need to conserve energy. You no longer see people leaving lights on unnecessarily or wasting water. If the government also plans properly, we can overcome this crisis.”

The End of Blackouts?

This winter for Tehran’s shopkeepers is about more than just cold weather. Endless blackouts, a sluggish market, and distrust in government planning have created a cold and frozen atmosphere in the country’s economy. While some businesses still hope this situation is temporary, many believe that without serious reforms in the country’s infrastructure, there will be no bright future for Iran’s economy.

The question remains: Can the government manage this crisis with the resources at hand, or should we expect this winter to last longer than ever?