Iran’s power export to Iraq awaiting new contract

• 7 years ago (2017-01-04)
• David Flin

Middle East 326 Transmission 191

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Iran has suspended power supply to Iraq since the start of 2017, following the ending of the electricity export contract between the two countries. Iraq imported 800-1000 MW from Iran under the previous contract.

Arash Kordi, Managing Director of Iran Power Generation, Distribution, and Transmission Company (Tavanir), said: “The power export deal between Iran and Iraq has expired. This is the main reason for cutting power exports to Iraq.” He rejected rumours that exports were cut as a consequence of unpaid debts for the import of Iranian electricity, which is reported to have risen to over $1 billion.

An Iranian delegation recently travelled to Iraq to discuss terms for a new electricity export contract, said Kordi, speculating that power supplies could resume in a month.

However, sections of the Iraqi media have claimed that Iran suspended electricity exports without prior notice.

Mus’ab al-Mudaris, spokesman for Iraq’s electricity ministry, said Iran “stopped providing Iraq without prior notification,” adding that Iraq’s power grid lost about 1200 MW through three transmission lines in Diyala, Missan, and Basra provinces. He said the stoppage was due to Iraq’s failure to keep up with debt repayments.

Iraqi authorities had agreed to repay the debt by instalments, but the last payment was made in May 2016, and nothing has been paid since then.