Iraq-Kuwait electrical interconnection set to conclude in late 2024
The Iraqi Minister of Electricity, Ziyad Ali Fadel, has announced that Baghdad is on track to finalize the electrical interconnection with Kuwait by the end of 2024. This initiative aims to reduce Iraq’s dependency on Iran for a significant portion of its energy requirements, with plans to receive 500 megawatts of power through this project. As of now, 45 percent of the electrical interconnection with Kuwait has been completed, marking substantial progress towards achieving energy sustainability.
Minister Fadel highlighted that Iraq has successfully established an electrical connection with Jordan, awaiting only the authorization of funding to commence transmitting an initial 50 megawatts of energy. Despite currently importing 30 to 40 percent of its gas and electricity needs from Iran, Iraq continues to face frequent power outages, especially during scorching summer temperatures that reach up to 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit) when energy demand peaks.
As the second-largest oil producer in OPEC, Iraq faces pressure from the US to reduce its reliance on Iranian gas. The CEO of the GCC Interconnection Authority (GCCIA), Ahmed Al-Ebrahim, revealed that 30 percent of the GCC-Iraq Electrical Interconnection project has been finalized. Al-Ebrahim emphasized at a World Quality Week event in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, that the project is slated for completion in 2024, with a comprehensive quality monitoring program in place to ensure the project’s success.
The GCCIA is keen on establishing connections with other systems to leverage surplus energy during the winter season. Plans are in place to export electricity to Iraq, Jordan, and Egypt through collaborations with the Saudi Electricity Company and other Gulf networks. The electrical energy Iraq will gain through the interconnection project holds significant value in enhancing energy security and fostering regional cooperation in the realm of power distribution.
