Iraq diversifies gas imports from Iran and Turkmenistan to boost electricity production

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s Minister of Electricity, Ziyad Ali Fadhil, announced Tuesday that the country now sources imported gas from both Iran and Turkmenistan. Fadhil emphasized that increasing domestic gas production will gradually reduce Iraq’s dependence on imports, and he noted that power generation is expected to surpass 27,400 megawatts next summer if the supply of imported gas remains stable.

In an interview with the state-run channel Al-Iraqiya, Fadhil said, “During the summer, we import approximately 50 million cubic meters of gas daily. Of this, 20 million cubic meters will be sourced from Turkmenistan, while the rest is supplied through a five-year contract with Iran.”

On Oct. 19, 2024, Iraq’s Ministry of Electricity announced an agreement with Turkmenistan to import 20 million cubic meters of gas per day through an Iranian pipeline. The deal represents a significant boost to Iraq’s energy resources.

“We have diversified our gas imports, sourcing 20 million cubic meters from Turkmenistan and between 30 and 50 million cubic meters from Iran,” Fadhil said. “This gives us two suppliers instead of one. Meanwhile, increasing our domestic gas production, the third key source, will help us gradually reduce our reliance on imports.”

Fadhil highlighted that Iraq’s electricity production last summer reached 27,400 megawatts but was short by about 10 million cubic meters of gas, equivalent to 1,000 megawatts of power. “We expect to surpass this figure next summer as gas supplies stabilize,” he said.

Despite substantial investments in the energy sector, Iraq continues to face electricity shortages, particularly in the summer when temperatures often exceed 122 degrees Fahrenheit (50 degrees celsius). While the government has repeatedly promised to resolve the power crisis, demand consistently outpaces supply.

Since 2003, Iraq has spent enormous sums on electricity production. In 2021, then-Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi said approximately $81 billion had been invested in the sector, though he noted that corruption had been a major barrier to achieving a stable power supply.

Iraq’s energy sector has suffered extensive damage over the past decades due to wars, conflicts, and economic crises. Corruption within the relevant authorities has further hindered progress. While the country reached a record 27,000 megawatts of electricity production in July, Iraq’s energy demand stands at 35,000 megawatts, highlighting the persistent gap between supply and demand.