ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq is purchasing up to 1,400 megawatts of electricity daily from the Kurdistan Region amid other foreign imports to help meet grid demand, the Iraqi Ministry of Electricity said on Wednesday.
Ahmed Turki, spokesperson for the Iraqi Ministry of Electricity, told Rudaw in an interview that the federal government "currently purchases about 1,200 megawatts from the Kurdistan Region, which sometimes reaches 1,400 megawatts."
“Yesterday, we began purchasing 100 million standard cubic feet (scf) of gas from Dana Gas [Kurdistan Region’s Khor Mor field] for the Taza thermal power plant in Kirkuk,” said Turki.
Turki's remarks come a day after the UAE-based Dana Gas and its affiliated Crescent Petroleum announced they have begun natural gas deliveries from the Kurdistan Region's Khor Mor gas field to Baghdad's electricity ministry to support the Iraqi national grid.
The companies said in a statement on Tuesday that they have "commenced supplies of natural gas from the Khor Mor field [located] in the [eastern part of the] Kurdistan Region to Iraq's Ministry of Electricity in Kirkuk, to further support the electricity sector in Iraq."
"Electricity production has reached 24,600 megawatts,” said Turki, clarifying that Iraq requires “55,000 to 60,000 megawatts to provide continuous [24-hour] electricity."
Iraq has long struggled with chronic electricity shortages, particularly during periods of peak summer and winter demand. While the country typically produces between 20,000 and 25,000 MW of electricity, it requires nearly 54,000 MW to ensure uninterrupted nationwide supply, according to the Iraqi electricity ministry.
Illegal connections waste thousands of megawatts
Despite increased production, Turki said illegal electricity connections continue to place heavy pressure on Iraq’s power network.
"Approximately 55 to 60 percent of consumers are bypassers who draw electricity without meters; this has resulted in the waste of more than 10,000 megawatts of electricity," he said.
He added that the ministry has launched a campaign to remove illegal connections and install smart meters in areas where violations are widespread.
Imports from neighboring countries
Turki said Iraq is also relying on electricity imports from neighboring countries, including Turkey and Jordan.
"We are currently receiving 600 megawatts from Turkey and 100 megawatts from Jordan," he said.
He added that the Iraqi side of the Gulf electrical interconnection project will be completed in September, after which Iraq is expected to receive an additional 500 megawatts from Kuwait.
Iraq is “currently importing 20 million cubic meters for the central region and 5 million cubic meters for the southern line,” resulting in a combined total of “25 million cubic meters of [imported] gas,” said Turki.
Turki noted that the combination of imports “has certainly helped us increase the total production,” and “has helped increase supply hours to approximately 10 to 12 hours of supply per day.”
The ministry spokesperson said Iraq’s strategic plan through 2030 aims to raise electricity production capacity to 35,000 megawatts, but implementation depends on fuel availability and government funding.
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