Peregraf — Iraq’s Ministry of Electricity said Wednesday that 600 megawatts (MW) of electricity from Turkey have officially entered the national grid, following Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s recent visit to Ankara and efforts to restore the cross-border power connection.
Ministry spokesperson Ahmed Turki Jiyad said that the resumption of electricity supplies came after al-Zaidi requested Turkish support for Iraq’s energy sector during his visit.
“The resumption of the supply came as a result of the Prime Minister’s visit to Turkey and in response to his request to support the energy sector,” Jiyad said, adding that the Electricity Ministry also asked the contracted company to reactivate the transmission line.
He said the two sides are working on a payment mechanism and confirmed that the 600 MW imported from Turkey has officially entered service on Iraq’s national grid.
The restored supply comes as Iraq faces one of its worst electricity shortages in years.
Electricity Minister Ali Saadi Waheeb told parliament on July 27 that Iraq requires 60,000 MW to meet nationwide demand but is currently generating only 22,000 MW, leaving a deficit of 38,000 MW.
Waheeb attributed the shortfall to reduced fuel supplies from the Kurdistan Region and Turkey, disruptions in gas deliveries from the Khor Mor gas field, and damage to power infrastructure, including a fire that forced the Al-Amarah power station out of service.
He also said electricity losses have reached 60% because of unauthorized connections and encroachments on the transmission network.
According to the minister, the Electricity Ministry spends approximately 49 trillion Iraqi dinars annually, including 21.9 trillion dinars on fuel, 11.6 trillion dinars on electricity purchased from local investors, 8.5 trillion dinars on salaries, 4.2 trillion dinars on maintenance, and 2.8 trillion dinars on electricity imports from Turkey and other countries.
Waheeb said restoring full gas production from the Khor Mor field would recover about 1,600 MW of generation capacity. He added that Iraq aims to increase electricity production to 35,000 MW by 2030 through new generation projects, agreements with GE, and expanded electricity interconnections with Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
Following the parliamentary session, lawmakers approved a package of recommendations, including opening corruption investigations into Electricity Ministry contracts dating back to 2005, reviewing major investment contracts, expanding renewable energy, supporting household solar systems, and strengthening oversight of the electricity sector.