To deliver upto 200 megawatts
Jordan set to finish electrical grid connection with Iraq by early 2025
NEWSROOM — Jordan is on track to complete the final phase of its electrical grid connection with Iraq by early 2025, according to the annual report from the Jordanian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources. This phase aims to supply 150 to 200 megawatts of power to the Al-Qaim area in Iraq’s Anbar province, marking a key development in regional energy cooperation.
Ongoing efforts include constructing a 400-kilovolt transmission line and installing essential components such as circuit breakers and transformers. The infrastructure on both sides of the border is nearing completion, with the Al-Qaim 132/400 kilovolt substation in Iraq and the Al-Risha 33/132/400 kilovolt substation in Jordan.
The first phase, which started supplying 40 megawatts of power to Iraq’s Rutba area via a 150-kilometer transmission line in early 2024, is already operational.
This initiative comes as Iraq seeks to diversify its energy sources amid chronic electricity shortages. The Iraqi Ministry of Electricity is investing in renewable energy projects like wind, solar, and waste recycling to reduce its dependency on gas imports from Iran. Iraq, which produces just over 27,000 megawatts of electricity, needs 48,000 megawatts to meet its domestic demand, resulting in daily power outages that can last up to 10 hours, especially during summer.
On July 21, 2024, Iraq announced the construction of a new 115-kilometer power line from Turkey, intended to supply 300 megawatts to the northern provinces of Nineveh, Salah al-Din, and Kirkuk. Moreover, on July 27, 2024, the Iraqi Ministry of Electricity revealed plans for a Gulf-Saudi connection that includes a 500-megawatt interconnection for Basra, with final stages expected to start by the end of 2024. Iraq and Saudi Arabia have also signed a technical advisory contract to develop a 1,000-megawatt electrical connection, bolstering Iraq’s efforts to secure a stable and diversified electricity supply.