Iraq’s government has been working on increasing power production to confront a potential electricity crisis, especially in the summer.
Spokesman for Iraq’s electricity ministry Ahmed Moussa said the ministry will add 4,500 megawatts into the grid and seeks 25,000 megawatts of electrical energy production.
In remarks to the Iraqi News Agency INA, Moussa said the strategic energy transmission lines linking the governorates has been completed, which will help in the distribution process and in easing the power shortage.
He revealed the introduction of 615 megawatts into the grid from the Salah El-Din governorate’s thermal station, which produces a total of 1,630 megawatts.
The station was established as part of an agreement with China, and its second unit should be operational soon.
Moussa unveiled the ministry’s strategy to resolve the issue of gas supply from Iran by holding “periodic meetings” with Iranian officials.
He mentioned the cabinet’s decision to pay gas dues to Tehran in full through the credit fund at the Trade Bank of Iraq.
Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi underlined during a meeting on Sunday with the ministerial energy council the importance of prioritizing people’s access to power.
He ordered relevant authorities to work around the clock to address any defect in the electrical system and provide immediate solutions to any emergency crisis.
The PM also called on the security services to tighten control over the energy transmission lines, which were subjected to a series of terrorist attacks in 2021 and caused severe damages to the system.
