Electricity production reaches highest level ever

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: A media spokesperson for the Iraqi Ministry of Electricity on Thursday said it reached its highest level of electricity production during the current month. “The ministry has operated the largest possible number of power generating stations throughout Iraq, including al-Doura station and the gas-driven station in southern Baghdad,” Aziz Sultan al-Shamri told IraqiNews.com news agency. In May 2009, Iraq’s production of electricity reached 7.150 megawatts, including 2,300 megawatts in Baghdad, Shamri explained. “A noticeable improvement in electricity supplies is expected within the coming days,” Shamri added. Power supplies in Iraq have been sporadic since the second Gulf War when the U.S.-led coalition destroyed the electricity infrastructure during operations to drive Saddam Hussein’s regime out of neighboring Kuwait. The shortages became even worse in the aftermath of the 2003 U.S.-led invasion because of insurgent sabotage, rising demand and fuel shortages. SS (P)/SR 1