Baghdad, Iraq – Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani announced on Saturday plans to add up to 20,000 megawatts to Iraq’s national power grid, aiming for record electricity production levels to address the country’s ongoing energy crisis.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Baghdad International Fair, Al-Sudani revealed that the government intends to increase the grid’s capacity by 15,000 to 20,000 megawatts in the coming years. This ambitious project is part of a broader effort to meet the growing demand for energy, which has long been a challenge for Iraq despite its substantial oil and gas reserves.
Iraq’s electricity sector has struggled for years with chronic power shortages. Currently, the country’s power production stands at around 27,450 megawatts, while the required demand is nearly double at 48,000 megawatts, according to the Ministry of Electricity. The gap between supply and demand has forced Iraq to rely heavily on gas imports, particularly from neighboring Iran, to fuel its power plants.
Al-Sudani highlighted that improving Iraq’s energy sector is a key priority for his government. He reiterated the goal of achieving energy independence, particularly by increasing domestic gas production and reducing reliance on imports in the next few years.
“Renewable and clean energy projects, which were once just topics of discussion, are now actively being implemented,” he said during his speech at the fair, signaling the government’s commitment to diversifying the country’s energy sources.
Iraq’s electricity grid has faced significant challenges, particularly in light of interruptions in the supply of gas from Iran. In July 2023, Iraq lost nearly 5,000 megawatts of electricity due to a complete halt in gas exports to the southern regions and a reduction in supplies to Baghdad and other central provinces.
The country’s energy woes have drawn criticism, with lawmakers calling for swift action. On Wednesday, the head of the Iraqi parliament’s electricity and energy committee criticized the Ministry of Electricity for its slow progress in addressing the power crisis, noting that power wastage remains high and reforms are lagging.
As Iraq moves forward with these ambitious plans, the government’s success in tackling the energy deficit will play a crucial role in the country’s economic development and stability.
