For the second time, war disrupts Iranian gas supplies to Iraq.
The Iraqi Ministry of Electricity announced on Saturday a significant decline in gas supplies coming from Iran to the country during the current period, attributing this to regional circumstances and the ongoing war in Iran.
The ministry spokesman, Ahmed Moussa, told Shafaq News Agency that “the quantities of gas currently supplied are limited to about 5 million cubic meters per day, supplied to the central region only, after previously reaching 19 million cubic meters, with 10 million cubic meters for the southern region and 9 million cubic meters for the central region.”
Musa added that “the current quantity is very low, especially since the normal rates that should be supplied at this time of year reach about 30 million cubic meters per day, which negatively affects the stability of the electrical power system in the country.”
He pointed out that “the system was affected by the loss of 3,500 megawatts, which is being compensated for by alternative fuel from the Ministry of Oil,” noting that some stations have seen a significant decrease in their generating capacity due to the shutdown and shortage of gas.
The Iraqi Ministry of Electricity confirmed in late March that it would proceed with the implementation of electricity interconnection projects with neighboring countries, whether with the Gulf states, or work to prepare the interconnection with Turkey to restart it, as well as completing the second phase of the interconnection project with the Kingdom of Jordan.
These projects have not been halted by recent events or current circumstances, and are considered important steps within the Ministry’s directions to diversify energy sources and enhance the stability of the electrical system, according to an official statement issued on March 27.
Iraq relies on gas imported from Iran to operate its power plants, but after the cancellation of US exemptions, Baghdad became “besieged.” Attempts to obtain a new exemption from the Trump administration were met with silence, while pressure on the Iraqi government to secure quick alternatives increased over the past six months.
Iraq imports 50 million cubic feet of energy from Iran, which constitutes two-thirds of Iran’s energy production, according to Iraqi government spokesman Bassem al-Awadi.
The last waivers from US sanctions granted by the administration of former President Joe Biden expired on March 7, 120 days after they came into effect.
According to the Iraqi Ministry of Electricity, the country needs about 50,000 megawatts to meet its energy needs in the summer, while it currently produces about 28 megawatts, according to official figures.
Shafaq.com