Iraq’s Urgent Measures to Tackle Electricity Deficit Amid U.S. Sanctions

Iraq is expediting initiatives to manage an anticipated electricity deficit due to U.S. sanctions on Iranian energy imports. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani is committed to diversifying energy sources, including developing gas reserves and securing electricity from Jordan. Plans include connecting to the Gulf Cooperation Council’s power grid and enhancing domestic gas production with international partnerships.

Iraq is taking urgent measures to address an expected electricity shortage this summer, following the United States’ decision to not renew a waiver that previously permitted the nation to import electricity from Iran. This decision aligns with the U.S. administration’s aim to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions and its support for terrorism, as emphasized by the U.S. embassy in Baghdad. Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani is now tasked with reducing the nation’s dependency on Iranian energy sources.

Despite being OPEC’s second-largest oil producer, Iraq relies on Iran for approximately one-third of its electricity. Currently, it imports 50 million cubic meters of gas and 500 megawatts of electricity daily from Iran. In response to the U.S. announcement, Prime Minister Al Sudani convened a meeting to devise strategies for ensuring electricity supply and advancing gas reserve development initiatives.

Among the key projects discussed were the linkage of power stations to gas sources and the installation of floating platforms for gas imports. Iraqi Electricity Ministry spokesman Ahmed Moussa indicated that these floating platforms would enhance the country’s capacity to import gas from other nations, highlighting it as a significant achievement for Iraq.

Additionally, a comprehensive plan to secure electricity supplies was presented by Iraq’s Minister of Electricity, Ziad Ali Fadel, discussing fuel operational strategies. Minister of Oil Hayan Abdul Ghani also outlined plans for supplying fuel to power plants through agreed quantities and mobile gas platforms.

Iraq is nearing completion of a deal with Turkmenistan to import 20 million cubic meters of gas daily via a pipeline that transits through Iran. Furthermore, the nation began importing electricity from Jordan in March last year and aims to connect to the Gulf Cooperation Council’s power grid by the year’s end.

Recent meetings involving U.S. Charge d’Affaires Daniel Rubinstein and Iraqi Parliament officials addressed the sanctions’ impacts on Iraq’s electricity sector. Rubinstein remarked that importing natural gas remains exempt from sanctions. Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Ministry labeled the U.S. waiver decision as unlawful, insisting that the unilateral sanctions lack legitimacy.

Baghdad faces continuous pressure from Washington to terminate its reliance on Iranian energy, a relationship strained by sanctions since 2018. In recent years, Iraq has initiated projects to boost its natural gas resources, in light of a chronic electricity deficit. With natural gas reserves estimated at 3,714 billion cubic meters, Iraq has signed various contracts for gas development, including significant partnerships with Ukrainian and French companies to enhance production and invest in renewable energy.

In conclusion, Iraq’s urgent strategies to address its electricity shortage amid U.S. sanctions underscore its dependence on Iranian energy. With measures to boost natural gas production and diversification of energy imports, Iraq aims to achieve greater energy independence. Continued international cooperation and investment will be vital in overcoming longstanding energy challenges and enhancing national energy security.

Original Source: www.thenationalnews.com