Iraq, Qatar hold discussions on energy, gas supplies
Electricity transmission towers. Photo: AFP
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The Iraqi Ministry of Electricity announced it is holding discussions with Qatar related to energy, gas supplies, the rehabilitation of oilfields, and exchanging experiences, the Iraqi News Agency (INA) reported.
The spokesperson of the Ministry of Electricity, Ahmed Musa, mentioned on Saturday that the agreement to export Qatari gas to Iraq was referred to the Ministry of Oil according to a decision issued by the Iraqi Council of Ministers.
The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, visited Iraq in mid-June, where he and the Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, attended a ceremony to sign two agreements between the governments of both countries related to air transport services and maritime transport, in addition to a joint declaration of intent between the two countries and a memorandum of understanding allowing holders of diplomatic passports to travel between Qatar and Iraq with no entry visa required.
Al-Thani revealed during his official visit to Baghdad that Qatar will invest $5 billion in different sectors in Iraq over the coming years.
Since June, Iraq has started benefiting from the electrical interconnection project with the Gulf countries to cover its domestic needs, especially with the increase in energy demand during the summer months, in an attempt to tackle the shortage caused by the recent decline in Iranian gas supplies to Iraq.
Iraq produces about 23,000 megawatts of electricity, while the country needs about 35,000 megawatts to secure electric power around the clock.