Iranian gas imports double as Iraq’s power grid stabilizes

BAGHDAD — Iranian gas imports to Iraq have increased to 20 million cubic meters per day, the Electricity Ministry said Friday, providing renewed support for power generation as the grid records rising output levels.

The ministry described the increased supply as “necessary momentum” to sustain electricity production and said maintenance, rehabilitation and expansion plans are progressing “at a high pace,” with control centers directed to ensure fair distribution across governorates.

The recovery follows a turbulent period for Iranian gas flows. Supplies stopped entirely on March 18 after Israeli strikes on Iran’s South Pars gas field knocked 3,100 megawatts offline from Iraq’s national grid. Flows partially resumed before being cut again to southern governorates in late March. Iraq normally relies on Iran for between a third and 40 percent of its electricity generation needs — a dependency the regional conflict exposed as an acute vulnerability heading into the summer peak demand season.