Iraq loses 25% of electrical energy as gas supplies from Iran drop
A gas facility in Iran. Photo: Tehran Times
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The spokesperson of the Iraqi Ministry of Electricity, Ahmed Musa, revealed on Tuesday that Iraq lost about 25 percent of its electrical output as a result of a decrease in gas imports from Iran.
Musa told Rudaw News that gas imports from Iran are declining because of maintenance projects in Iran, explaining that 4,200 megawatts per hour were lost in Iraq.
According to Musa, the maintenance should be completed by the end of the week.
The Iraqi official elaborated that Iraq presently generates around 18,600 megawatts of power every hour, which supplies the center and southern parts of the country with 16 hours of electricity each day.
Iraq purchases gas and electricity from Iran to keep up with its growing energy needs.
Musa also clarified that Iraq imports 1,200 megawatts of electricity from Iran in addition to its 8,000 megawatts of electricity generated by gas imported from Iran.
Currently, Iraq imports 10 million cubic meters of gas on a daily basis, compared to the 50 million cubic meters needed by the electrical system.
The Iraqi official mentioned that the Electricity Ministry is planning to increase its electricity generation to 27,000 megawatts by May 1 to meet the country’s energy needs during the scorching summer months.