Iraq's capacity of energy production reaches unprecedented level, Ministry says

Shafaq News / The Iraqi Ministry of Electricity announced, on Friday, reaching the capacity of producing an unprecedented amount of energy in the history of Iraq, as a part of the state's efforts to reduce the electricity shortage in the country.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Electricity, Ahmed Mousa Al-Abadi, told Shafaq News agency, "Electricity production in Iraq rose to 19200 MW for the first time in the history of Iraq", adding, "the increase in energy production will have a positive impact on the power supply in the country".

For its part, the General Company for the Production of Electric Power in the South announced, on Friday, operating of the third unit, with a capacity of 125 megawatts, in Samawah power plant, which is installed and linked to the national network, which was implemented by the American General Electric Company.

The company said in a statement received by Shafaq News agency that the station consists of four gas units with a capacity of 500 megawatts, two of which are installed with a capacity of 250 megawatts, making the total amount of production 750 megawatts.

Iraq suffers from a chronic electricity shortage crisis for decades, due to the blockade and successive wars.

It imports 1,200 MW from Iran, and is currently planning to import electricity from Turkey and the Gulf states.

Over the past few weeks, the country has witnessed widespread protests over increased power outages amid heatwaves, during which temperatures exceed 50 ° C.

It is estimated that Iraq needs about 24,000 megawatts to reach self-sufficiency.