Electricity ministry spox says Iraqi power capacity falls far short as demand surges

BAGHDAD — Iraq can generate no more than 27,000 to 28,000 megawatts of electricity even under optimal conditions, far below the country’s actual need of over 50,000 megawatts, according to Ministry of Electricity spokesperson Ahmad Mousa.

“We’ve entered summer with a production of 22,500 megawatts,” Mousa said in a televised interview on Al-Iraqiya TV. “Some of our plants are out of service due to gas shortages. If we get the needed fuel, production will reach 26,000 megawatts.”

But even with full gas supplies, Mousa said, Iraq’s grid cannot produce more than 28,000 megawatts. “The country’s need exceeds 50,000, and we cannot reach an ideal supply situation.”

Some excerpts of Mousa’s interview on Al-Iraqiya TV:

We’ve entered summer with a production of 22,500 megawatts. Some of our plants are out of service due to gas shortages. If we get the needed fuel, production will reach 26,000 megawatts.

We lost 4,100 megawatts after Iranian gas supplies dropped to 18 million cubic meters. According to the contract, Iran is supposed to supply us with 45 million cubic meters in May, 55 million in June, and 60 million in July. If the current levels continue while demand rises in the coming months, we’re looking at a shortfall of nearly 6,000 megawatts.

The maximum production capacity we can reach — if we receive full gas quantities — is 27,000 to 28,000 megawatts. But the country’s need exceeds 50,000, and we cannot reach an ideal supply situation.

We’re waiting for the minister’s return from Turkmenistan. We’re supposed to get 20 million cubic meters in the summer, and 10 million in the winter.

The government recommended importing one million cubic meters of kerosene via two or three tankers for power stations because the local supply is insufficient. This is to cover the shortfall. We have massive plants like Bismayah, which has a 4,500 megawatt capacity. If Iranian gas stops, it would be embarrassing for Bismayah to go offline — it would affect the capital and the entire grid. So we must have an alternative.

Four electricity lines from Iran have completely stopped due to U.S. sanctions. These include Basra–Khorramshahr, Amara–Karkheh, Sarpol Zahab–Khanaqin, and Mersad–Diyala. The governorate most affected is Diyala. We received an official U.S. notice to stop importing electricity from Iran, but no official notice regarding gas.

Technically, we believe if we don’t transition to a smart grid, we won’t be able to manage the system. And we did make the move — but the Wasit governorate council rejected the trial. They argued that the smart meter means you’ll start selling us electricity, and some claimed the meter has a magic eye, asking how we could install it in homes with it watching over families.