DUBAI, UAE - Iraq’s Ministry of Electricity announced Saturday a plan to address chronic bottlenecks in electricity production by expanding transmission lines, commissioning new transformer stations, and pursuing regional energy interconnection projects.

Ahmed Mousa, a spokesperson for the ministry, said Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani reviewed the government’s efforts to rehabilitate Iraq’s electricity distribution networks and issued directives to improve services. 

Sudani authorized the ministry to sign new contracts aimed at upgrading the power supply to citizens and to terminate agreements with contractors who fail to complete essential infrastructure projects.

The plan includes maintaining full operational readiness within the ministry, with staff working in three shifts to ensure round-the-clock service, especially during peak summer demand. 

The government is also increasing contract thresholds to expand the capacity of imported electricity through regional energy partnerships with neighboring countries.

Mousa said Iraq currently imports more than 1,000 megawatts of electricity from Iran, with agreements in place to ensure uninterrupted supply during the summer months. 

Another interconnection project with Jordan has entered its first phase, supplying 54 megawatts to al-Rutba district, with a second phase underway to deliver 150 megawatts.

A separate agreement with Turkey is also progressing. The first phase of the project is already providing 300 megawatts to northern Iraq, with discussions scheduled for February to increase that to 600 megawatts in a second phase. 

Additionally, a Gulf interconnection project has reached advanced stages and is expected to deliver 500 megawatts to Basra province in the first quarter of this year.

Mousa also noted that Iraq is working with Saudi Arabia on an energy interconnection project. 

This agreement, which includes technical consultations on connection points and transmission routes, aims to provide 1,000 megawatts of electricity in its initial phase.

“These interconnection projects will help alleviate pressure on Iraq’s power grid and meet growing energy demands, particularly during the summer,” Mousa said.

Iraq has long relied on imports of electricity and gas from Iran, which account for between 30 to 40 percent of its energy needs. 

These imports are especially crucial during the summer months, when temperatures can reach 50°C and energy demand peaks. 

However, Iraq has faced difficulties paying for these imports due to US sanctions, which restrict payments to Iran to non-sanctioned goods such as food and medicine.