Electricity minister to brief parliament as power crisis fuels protests

BAGHDAD — Electricity Minister Ali Saadi Waheeb said he had asked to appear before Iraq’s Parliament to give a full briefing on the country’s electricity system and the measures being taken to address the worsening power crisis, after Parliament decided to host him.

The Ministry of Electricity said the minister had voluntarily sought the session to present an overview of the grid, the challenges facing the ministry and its response, and to answer lawmakers’ questions. It said the request reflected a commitment to transparency and to cooperating with parliamentary oversight.

The statement came hours after Parliament Speaker Haibat al-Halbousi directed lawmakers to host the minister over the deterioration in supply, before Parliament adjourned until Tuesday. Earlier Sunday the ministry apologized to the public over declining supply hours, saying the grid faced “exceptional circumstances” caused by reduced gas supplies linked to the regional conflict, rising summer demand, illegal connections, aging infrastructure and insufficient funding.

The move follows growing criticism of Iraq’s power shortages. Lawmakers have also called for the oil minister to appear and urged greater investment in associated gas currently flared at oil fields, arguing that more domestic production would strengthen energy security and cut dependence on imported fuel. Iraq relies on Iran for roughly one-third to 40% of the natural gas it uses to generate electricity, while generation in the Kurdistan Region fell after Dana Gas suspended production at the Khor Mor field over security concerns.

The crisis has also triggered protests. On Sunday, hundreds of residents in Najaf blocked the Najaf-Kufa road and marched to the governorate and provincial council headquarters, demanding a larger electricity allocation and an end to what they called unequal scheduled cuts between areas.