By John Lee.
Iraq's Minister of Electricity, Eng. Ziyad Ali Fadel, has addressed key energy issues in interviews with Al Arabiya and Al Hadath, outlining government efforts to secure power supply and mitigate potential summer shortages.
Key points include:
- The halt of exemptions has affected 800 MW of electricity imports from Iran, impacting Diyala, Maysan, and Basra.
- The Ministry has not received official notification regarding the suspension of Iranian gas imports, with discussions ongoing.
- Alternative measures include fuel oil (kaz), regional power grid connections, solar power projects, and the establishment of a floating LNG terminal.
- Turkmenistan is being considered as an alternative gas supplier, as it is not subject to sanctions.
- A floating platform for LNG imports will be installed in the Gulf by June to supply power plants.
- Turkey has agreed to double electricity supply via the Iraq-Turkey interconnection to 600 MW starting mid-May.
- Iraq-Kuwait grid connection is 90% complete, with landmine clearance in Fao delaying finalization.
- Renewable energy projects under development:
- 1,000 MW solar by TotalEnergies (Basra)
- 750 MW by PetroChina (Muthanna)
- 500 MW by Bilal Iraq (Babel & Karbala)
- Additional 15,000 MW planned using combined-cycle and solar technologies.
- Iraq is shifting towards 15,000 MW of crude oil-based power generation, similar to Saudi Arabia's model.
- Major agreements planned:
- 24,000 MW with GE (USA)
- 10,000 MW with Siemens (Germany)
- Iraq is executing its largest-ever power grid expansion, upgrading transmission lines and substations to stabilize electricity supply.
(Source: Ministry of Electricity)
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