Baghdad to urgently update national energy strategy
An oil facility in Iraq. Photo: AFP
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, ordered on Monday to form a special team from the ministries of planning, electricity, oil, and finance to urgently update the national energy strategy.
Al-Sudani’s remarks took place during a meeting he chaired to discuss the plans of the Ministry of Electricity with the attendance of the Oil Minister, Hayan Abdul-Ghani, the Electricity Minister, Ziyad Ali Fadel, and other officials, according to a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
The team will review energy-related issues and the country’s needs for fuel and guarantee the sustainability of project finance in order to avoid delays.
The Iraqi Prime Minister emphasized during the meeting that the revised plan should lessen the financial strain that the energy industry places on the country’s budget.
The strategy should also assure the integration of energy projects to optimize the energy system, the availability of pipelines for gas transfer from oil fields, the preparedness of power plants to use this gas, and the assurance of gas supply for gas-operated power plants following completion.
To come up with an updated strategy report, the specialist team will work with key ministries and consultant KBR designated by the Planning Ministry.