Iraq announced on Sunday the activation of a new power line to transport electricity from Turkey to its northern provinces.
Authorities are seeking to diversify energy sources to address chronic power outages in the country.
Strategic Connection
The 115-kilometer line connects to the Kisik power station west of Mosul and will supply 300 megawatts from Turkey to the northern Iraqi provinces of Nineveh, Salah al-Din, and Kirkuk, according to a statement from the prime minister’s office.
This installation is a “strategic” step in connecting Iraq to its neighbors, said Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani.
“The line went into service today,” Ahmed Moussa, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Electricity, told AFP.
Addressing Chronic Shortages
Decades of war have left Iraqi infrastructure in a dire state, with chronic power cuts, particularly disruptive in the summer when temperatures often reach 50 degrees Celsius.
Many homes have only a few hours of electricity per day, and those who can afford it use private generators to run refrigerators and air conditioners.
Diversifying Energy Sources
Despite its vast oil reserves, Iraq remains dependent on imports to meet its energy needs, particularly from neighboring Iran, which regularly cuts off its supplies.
Mr. Sudani has repeatedly stressed the need for the country to diversify its energy sources. To reduce its reliance on Iranian gas, Baghdad has explored several options, including imports from Gulf countries.
Regional Integration
The Iraqi government aims to “complete the connection with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) power grid by the end of this year,” Mr. Sudani said Sunday. “This will allow Iraq to integrate into the regional energy system,” allowing it to diversify its energy sources, he added.
Previous Efforts
In March, a 340-kilometer power line was commissioned to transmit electricity from Jordan to the al-Rutbah region in southwestern Iraq.