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Iraq moves to plug supply gap
- 13 years ago (2011-01-05)
- Junior Isles
Iraq has announced plans to use more foreign imports to boost is beleaguered power network, with Jordan emerging as a new partner.
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During his recent visit to Baghdad , Jordanian Prime Minister Samir Rifai pledged to collaborate with Iraq in the electricity and energy industry.
Iraq, holder of the world’s fifth-largest oil reserves, is struggling to raise power supplies, which are currently at about 6000 MW, or half of its domestic demand of about 12 000 MW. Demand is due to increase by at least eight per cent in 2012, according to Electricity Ministry spokesman Masaab Serri.
Iraq wants foreign investors to help it boost energy and electricity production. Output of both has suffered from insurgent attacks and a lack of investment since Saddam Hussein was ousted in 2003.
The country currently imports 550 MW from Iran and 200 MW from Turkey which also has two ships that distribute an additional 80 MW to southern Iraq, said Serri.
“The Electricity Ministry made a plan this year to import an additional 300 MW from Iran,” Serri said. “Municipalities across Iraq were also given the permission to sign contracts to import power from neighbouring countries and to establish small plants with capacities ranging from 5 to 10 MW to help face summer shortages,” he said.
By the end of February Iraq will start to import electricity through Syria using a regional power grid, Al Baath has reported, citing Syria’s Minister of Electricity, Ahmad Qusay Kayali.
The regional grid connects Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey, Egypt, Libya and the Palestinian Territories.
These new measures come following the announcement of Iraq's plan to almost triple power generation capacity to 17 000 MW by 2013. Mostly through the building of new plants, Serri says.
Iraq plans to invite bids later this year for the construction of three power plants to boost output by 1500 MW. One plant will be built in the Najibiyeh region in the southern oil hub of Basra and two others in Nasiriyah and Haidariya in the central region of Najaf, he said.
The government invited bids in December for the construction of four power plants to boost power generation capacity by 2750 MW. The bids will be for a 1250 MW plant near Basra, and three 500 MW plants in the cities of Samawa, Diwaniya and Amarah.
Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki pledged after forming his new government last month to address the electricity problem which is causing social problems and hurting economic activity.
“There is a multi-billion dollar plan for the construction and rehabilitation of numerous electricity generation and distribution plants across the country,” Serri said.