Iraq continues efforts to import gas from Turkmenistan, Qatar
The Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, during his meeting with Iraqi officials in the energy sector. Photo: PMO
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, ordered on Monday to find alternatives to gas imports, in reference to the Iranian gas, as the country is facing problems providing the required fuel for power plants to generate electricity, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
Al-Sudani, during his meeting with Iraqi officials in the energy sector, confirmed that the current government took measures to reach an electric power production of 26,000 megawatts, which is the highest in Iraq’s history, but maintaining this level was subject to the continuation of Iranian gas supplies.
The Iraqi Prime Minister noted that the US sanctions and non-compliance with the gas dues payment mechanism agreed upon in 2018 caused a 50 percent reduction in gas supplies from Iran, which negatively affected electricity production in Iraq.
Although Iraq is working on increasing its production of gas through many mega projects, Al-Sudani directed the Iraqi government to find alternatives and quick solutions and to continue the efforts it started to import gas from Turkmenistan and Qatar.
The Prime Minister also ordered the Ministry of Oil to work with international companies to develop energy fields and highlighted the need to speed up the completion of projects generating electricity from solar energy.