Iraq launches ambitious projects to boost electricity production by 15,000 MW
Iraq is diversifying its reliance net on imported sources to generate its electricity production to meet the growing energy demands, which further exacerbate during summers
BAGHDAD, Iraq (MNTV) – Iraq has announced the launch of new projects aimed at increasing Iraq’s electricity production by 15,000 megawatts.
Iraqi Minister of Electricity, Ziyad Ali Fadel revealed this during a conference on steam power plants.
He highlighted the ministry’s achievements and outlined future plans to meet the country’s growing energy demands.
Quoting Fadel, Iraq News stated that Iraq’s electrical output has surged from 19,000 megawatts at the end of 2022 to 28,000 megawatts, marking a 40 percent increase in just two years.
The new projects include contracts to establish power plants with a combined capacity of 15,000 megawatts.
These projects comprise 2,430 megawatts of gas-fired plants, 3,811 megawatts of combined cycle plants, 4,875 megawatts of solar energy facilities, and 3,500 megawatts of steam power plants.
The minister pointed to Iraq’s escalating energy consumption as a major challenge, noting that peak demand soared from 27,000 megawatts to 48,000 megawatts during the last summer.
This rapid rise necessitates an integrated plan and a clear vision to address the country’s growing energy requirements, he explained.
A significant hurdle in electricity generation has been the disruption of imported gas supplies, which power gas-fired plants.
Fadel revealed that the national grid lost over 7,000 megawatts due to interruptions in gas imports.
He added that discussions with major corporations are underway to generate an additional 35,000 megawatts, supported by government initiatives and financial allocations.
Daily power outages remain a persistent issue in Iraq, often lasting up to 10 hours. The situation is exacerbated during the summer months, when temperatures exceed 50 degrees Celsius.
Despite relying heavily on imported gas from Iran to meet domestic energy demands, Iraq is increasingly investing in renewable energy and the utilization of flared gas as alternative energy sources.
However, U.S. sanctions on Iran have complicated Baghdad’s ability to pay for Iranian gas, adding further strain to Iraq’s energy sector.
The Ministry of Electricity has emphasized the urgency of addressing these challenges to provide consistent power supply and reduce reliance on external energy sources.
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