Iran Cuts Natural Gas Exports To Iraq Again Leading To Power Outages

Iraq imports 30-40% of its energy needs from Iran in the form of electricity and natural gas to fuel power plants. The problem is Tehran constantly cuts off this supply for a number of reasons from maintenance work to Baghdad not paying its bills. That is currently happening leading to blackouts across Iraq.

 

On November 24 Iraq’s Electricity Ministry said that it lost 5500 megawatts of power due to Iran cutting gas supplies. This was due to maintenance work that was supposed to last 15 days. That has passed and the gas has not been turned back on.

 

This has affected provinces such as Diyala and Baghdad. In the latter power has been out for hours during the day.

 

This is just the latest incidents this year. In October electricity production in Iraq dropped 7600 megawatts or around 40% of output because Iran was renovating its pipelines. In August Iran cut two power lines going to Diyala. At the end of February Tehran reduced gas exports once again leading to the loss of 4000 megawatts of power in Iraq. From January-February there was another decrease in gas exports costing 4200 megawatts in Iraq.

 

Baghdad has done nothing about these continued cuts because it is unresponsive to the needs of the public. Not only that but most of the ruling Coordination Framework is tied to and funded by Iran meaning they will voice no real objections. That leaves the Iraqi people to suffer with no support.

 

SOURCES

 

Iraqi News, “Iraq’s electricity output drops by 7,600 megawatts,” 10/17/24

 

Al Mada, “Decline in Iranian gas supplies reduces 70% of electricity production in Diyala,” 12/9/24

 

Middle East Monitor, “Iraq Diyala hit by power outages as Iranian lines cut,” 8/1/24

 

Al Rafidain, "Decrease in the number of hours of electricity supply in Baghdad and the provinces with the half of Iranian gas,” 12/1/24

- “Electrical Power Supply Declined In Baghdad And A Number Of Governorates Due To The Cessation Of Iranian Gas,” 2/29/24

- “Ministry Of Electricity: Loss Of 4,000 Megawatts Due To Scarcity Of Gas Emissions Supplied From Iran,” 1/13/24

- “Ministry Of Electricity: Today, Iraq Is Going Through A Crisis Of National And Imported Gas Scarcity,” 3/3/24

 

Rudaw, “Iran extends gas export halt to Iraq,” 12/14/24

- “Iraq loses 25% of its power output,” 10/9/24

 

Salem, Amr, “Iraq loses 25% of electrical energy as gas supplies form Iran drop,” Iraqi News, 2/13/24

 

Xinhua, “Iraq loses 5,500 megawatts of electricity as Iran cuts gas supplies,” 11/24/24