ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Iraq is experiencing a major reduction in electricity production, the electricity ministry said on Thursday, attributing it to lower Iranian gas imports and a recent strike on the Kurdistan Region’s Khor Mor gas field. 

Ministry spokesperson Ahmed Musa told the state-owned al-Sabah newspaper that power generation has dropped to between 15,000 and 18,000 megawatts, down from 20,000, due to “both financial and technical factors.” 

“They include a reduction in Iranian gas supplies resulting from maintenance work … and the Khor Mor gas field was shut down after being targeted recently, coinciding with peak winter demand and increased energy consumption,” he explained. 

Iranian gas imports to Iraq have been halted since last week due to “maintenance,” according to the electricity ministry, with Baghdad struggling to meet local demand. 

The halt coincided with a major strike on the Khor Mor gas field in Sulaimani province, which shut down production at the key field and slashed the Kurdistan Region’s electricity production for days. Erbil confirmed that the attack also halted gas exports to Iraqi provinces. 

A high-level committee to probe the attack was promptly formed by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani. On late Wednesday, the premier’s spokesperson said the committee submitted its findings, concluding that the strike was carried out by “outlaws” and that Erbil and Baghdad will coordinate to provide air defenses to the field.

In late November, the electricity ministry said it has “intensified” its work to complete several projects which will add 15,000 megawatts of power to the national grid. 

The national grid in Iraq routinely shuts off for hours a day, excluding the Kurdistan Region, where a landmark round-the-clock electricity project has vastly improved the provision of electricity.

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. 

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.