Turkey is to double its electricity exports to Iraq to 600 megawatts as Baghdad seeks to offset US-sanctioned energy from Iran before the scorching summer months.
Iraq's Ministry of Electricity has completed “all logistical and infrastructure measures necessary to increase the supply capacity via the Iraqi-Turkish interconnection line to 600 megawatts", it said in a statement on Sunday.
Alparslan Bayraktar, Turkey's Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, held meetings in Baghdad with officials including Iraqi Electricity Minister Ziad Ali Fadel. Mr Bayraktar said the increased electricity supply will begin “in the coming months”, the Iraqi ministry said.
Last July, Baghdad and Ankara inaugurated the power line that currently supplies Iraq with 300MW of electricity. Under US President Donald Trump's “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran, America last week rescinded a waiver to Iraq that would allow it to secure energy imports from Iran. The policy is designed to put pressure on Iran over its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.
Despite being Opec’s second-biggest producer, Iraq struggles to meet the growing demand for electricity because of decades of war, mismanagement and corruption. Iraq spent at least $60 billion on the electricity sector since the 2003 US-led invasion of the country, former prime minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi said in 2020.
Baghdad depends on Iran for about a third of its electricity needs. It buys 50 million cubic metres of natural gas and 500MW of electricity a day from Iran. US sanctions will only affect electricity imports, Iraqi officials have said.
Baghdad has been under pressure from the US to wean itself off Iranian energy imports, which have been subject to US sanctions since 2018. Since then, Washington has repeatedly extended waivers to Baghdad for periods of 45 to 120 days to allow it to import Iranian electricity and gas.
Iraq has in recent years taken some measures to develop its natural gas resources and reduce shortfalls in the electricity sector. Iraq’s natural gas reserves stand at about 3,714 billion cubic metres, Oil Ministry figures show.
MATCH INFO
Juventus 1 (Dybala 45')
Lazio 3 (Alberto 16', Lulic 73', Cataldi 90 4')
Red card: Rodrigo Bentancur (Juventus)
While you're here
THE 12 BREAKAWAY CLUBS
England
Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur
Italy
AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus
Spain
Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Real Madrid
Indoor cricket World Cup:
Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23
UAE fixtures:
Men
Saturday, September 16 – 1.45pm, v New Zealand
Sunday, September 17 – 10.30am, v Australia; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Monday, September 18 – 2pm, v England; 7.15pm, v India
Tuesday, September 19 – 12.15pm, v Singapore; 5.30pm, v Sri Lanka
Thursday, September 21 – 2pm v Malaysia
Friday, September 22 – 3.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 3pm, grand final
Women
Saturday, September 16 – 5.15pm, v Australia
Sunday, September 17 – 2pm, v South Africa; 7.15pm, v New Zealand
Monday, September 18 – 5.30pm, v England
Tuesday, September 19 – 10.30am, v New Zealand; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Thursday, September 21 – 12.15pm, v Australia
Friday, September 22 – 1.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 1pm, grand final