Iraq’s electricity generation reaches 22,000 megawatts

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The Iraqi Electricity Ministry confirmed on Saturday that current electricity generation capacity is approximately 22,000 megawatts. The ministry said in April that it plans to produce 30,000 megawatts this summer, but that capacity would fall well short of predicted peak demand of around 55,000 megawatts, implying that disruptions will persist across the country. Power plants currently operating in Iraq cannot generate this amount of energy. The shortage will result in fluctuations in supply hours and ongoing planned outages throughout provinces. Infrastructural initiatives to increase electricity generation capacity are ongoing but not yet completed, according to Ahmed Musa, the spokesperson for the Electricity Ministry. Iraq relies heavily on Iranian gas supplies to operate its power plants. Iran regularly limits gas supplies for maintenance purposes or due to debts, resulting in the loss of a significant amount of Iraq’s electricity production. Earlier in April, the Iraqi Ministry of Electricity revealed that the US-Israeli war on Iran has resulted in a dramatic reduction in Iranian gas supply, slashing Iraq’s electricity generation by around 3,500 megawatts. Iraq’s gas imports from Iran dropped to approximately five million cubic meters per day in early April, down from 19 million previously. This decline is alarming given that Iraq’s daily demand exceeds 30 million cubic meters, resulting in extremely low supplies.  Despite the country’s massive oil reserves, Iraq continues to face energy issues. During the peak summer months, energy consumption might reach 50,000 to 55,000 megawatts. The post Iraq’s electricity generation reaches 22,000 megawatts appeared first on Iraqi News.