ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani said Sunday that Iraq will have a new platform to supply gas for power plants by the summer of 2026, helping to make electricity production more flexible.

Sudani made the announcement while opening Gas Turbine Unit No. 13 at the Bismayah Gas-Fired Power Plant, an investment project for electricity generation. The new unit will add 300 megawatts to the plant’s output, according to a statement from Sudani’s office.

The premier also opened other units that were repaired and upgraded, restoring about 210 megawatts of capacity, and increasing the plant’s total output to 5,000 megawatts.

Sudani said that the government is making progress on several electricity projects that will add a total of 60,000 megawatts when finished. 

“The government is also working to improve the national grid’s transmission and distribution systems to make electricity more reliable,” he said. He also urged the Ministry of Electricity to manage consumption through fair and smart billing, using methods such as prepaid cards and smart meters.

Many Iraqis are turning to solar energy to cope with frequent and costly power outages. In areas like Mosul and agricultural regions, solar panels on homes and farms are helping people power their irrigation systems and reduce electricity bills. 

Iraq plans to generate 12,000 megawatts from renewable sources by 2030, aiming to ease pressure on the national grid. On peak summer days, demand may reach 55,000 megawatts while supply remains around 28 megawatts, showing the urgent need for new solutions.