Iraq to buy more gas from Iran
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The Iraqi Ministry of Electricity is ready to sign with Iran an agreement on buying the required amount of gas for the summer season.
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A gas flare on an oil production platform is seen alongside an Iranian flag in the Gulf, July 25, 2005 (Reuters)
Iraqi Electricity Minister Ali Fadel said Friday that his country was in the process of finalizing a contract to buy gas from Iran in the coming summer.
In a recent interview with Iraqi News Agency (INA), Fadel emphasized that Iraq requires 35,000 megawatts to ensure a 24-hour electricity supply during summer. Iraq's electricity production is currently at 15,600 megawatts, and citizens have daily access to 18 hours of electricity.
Electricity supply this summer will be different from previous years, Fadel added.
The Iraqi Ministry of Electricity is ready to sign an agreement with Iran to buy the required amount of gas for the summer season, which will add to Iraq's supply of 7,000 megawatts of electricity, as per Baghdad.
However, the fuel shortage is hindering an increase of 5,000 megawatts, although facilities can produce this amount of electricity.
The minister also mentioned that Iraq's contracts with Siemens and General Electric will enter the implementation phase as of March. As a result, Siemens will produce 1,400 megawatts of electricity at the Beiji power plant and 600 megawatts at the Dhi Qar power plant during the first phase, while General Electric will produce 3,000 megawatts.
The two companies, according to Fadel, are forced to carry out the necessary studies to collect associated gas.
When the contracts between Iraq and the two companies enter the implementation phase, Iraq's electricity supply will receive a significant boost.
The purchase of gas from Iran will also increase Iraq's electricity supply and assist the country in meeting its energy needs during summer.
It is worth noting that last June, Jordanian FM Ayman Safadi said Jordan will begin to provide Iraq with electricity in early 2023.
