logo
Iraq in global top 10 for cheapest electricity

Iraq in global top 10 for cheapest electricity

Shafaq News13-05-2025
Shafaq News/ Iraq ranked tenth worldwide and third among Arab countries in terms of the lowest electricity consumption tariffs by the end of 2024.
According to GlobalPetrolPrices.com, a website specializing in economic indicators, electricity prices in Iraq stood at $0.015 per kilowatt-hour for residential use and $0.046 per kilowatt-hour for commercial consumption.
Globally, out of 140 countries, Zimbabwe topped the list with the cheapest electricity at $0.001 per kilowatt-hour, followed by Ethiopia at $0.003, Iran at $0.004, Cuba at $0.006, and Sudan at $0.006. Libya came in seventh with $0.007 per kilowatt-hour.
At the opposite end, Bermuda recorded the highest electricity prices globally, reaching $0.472 per kilowatt-hour, followed by the Cayman Islands at $0.435.
Within the Arab world, Sudan ranked first for the cheapest electricity tariffs, followed by Libya in second, Iraq third, Egypt fourth at $0.018 per kilowatt-hour, Syria fifth at $0.019, Oman sixth at $0.026, and Qatar seventh at $0.032.
Meanwhile, the Iraqi Ministry of Electricity predicts that national demand could reach 55,000 megawatts during peak summer months.
Current output hovers around 16,000 megawatts, with authorities targeting more than 27,000 megawatts by mid-year to mitigate chronic blackouts.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Iraqi Banking reform: Between necessary change and crippling conditions
Iraqi Banking reform: Between necessary change and crippling conditions

Shafaq News

time11 hours ago

  • Shafaq News

Iraqi Banking reform: Between necessary change and crippling conditions

Shafaq News Iraq's banking sector is facing one of its most critical junctures in years as the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) rolls out new reform standards. While the measures aim to modernize the financial system and align it with global practices, economists and lawmakers warn they may be 'impossible to implement' under Iraq's current economic and political conditions. Reform Targets and Investor Reluctance At the center of the new requirements is a mandate for banks to raise their capital to 400 billion dinars (around $306 million) by the end of 2025. The target, however, appears increasingly unrealistic. According to economic expert Ahmad Abed Rabbo, investor reluctance—largely driven by US and international sanctions on dozens of Iraqi banks—makes such capitalization nearly unattainable. Speaking to Shafaq News, Abed Rabbo acknowledged that the reforms contain positive elements but insisted that many conditions require urgent revision. He described the capital increase as 'illogical,' particularly as many banks are barred from dollar transactions, suffer from low market value, and lack robust financial operations. The economist also criticized additional burdens, including $2 million in mandatory service fees for reform consultancy firms approved by the Central Bank. He dismissed the figure as 'exaggerated,' noting that banks had no prior agreement to allocate such sums. Another contested measure is the 10% ownership limit, which he argued deters potential investors, especially when most banks are already loss-making. Abed Rabbo called on the Central Bank to involve private banks in shaping a new reform framework tailored to Iraq's circumstances. Extending the timeline, he said, is essential to prevent forced liquidation or marginalization. 'Reforms are indispensable,' he emphasized, 'but they must be practical and context-driven—not a mechanism for eliminating banks from the financial system.' Strict Standards or Structural Weakness? Economic expert Mustafa al-Faraj described the Central Bank's conditions as 'strict and impossible' in the face of Iraq's fragile financial environment. In comments to Shafaq News, he criticized the lack of direct support from the CBI, saying the institution should prioritize technical and financial assistance, debt rescheduling, lower interest rates, and government-backed incentives before demanding capital hikes or foreign partnerships. He warned that without such support, many banks risk collapse, as the current climate is unsuitable for attracting foreign investors. Instead of strengthening the sector, 'the reforms could accelerate liquidations and forced mergers.' Al-Faraj acknowledged that the Central Bank's intent to reform is genuine but warned the approach is detached from reality: 'If the goal is to establish a resilient banking sector, the starting point must be real support and phased reforms—not measures that paralyze banks before they can recover.' Parliament's Alarm Over Sanctions and Oversight From the legislative side, Kazem al-Shammari, a member of the Parliamentary Economic Committee, pointed to an even deeper problem: sanctions. He revealed that about 30 of Iraq's 70–80 operational banks are currently under sanctions, while most others perform only basic transfer operations rather than comprehensive banking services such as deposits, lending, or financing. Al-Shammari argued that non-sanctioned banks, if properly supervised, could adapt to the reforms. Yet, he cautioned that weak regulatory oversight and political interference remain the biggest obstacles. 'Without effective monitoring, no real results can be achieved,' he said, stressing that government involvement in banking operations contradicts international norms of independence and financial freedom. He further questioned why only Iraqi and Lebanese banks are being penalized for dealings with sanctioned states like Iran, while no other regional institutions have faced similar consequences. 'This issue goes beyond Central Bank policy,' he explained, linking it to broader state-level decisions and political pressure. Between Compliance and Collapse For Al-Shammari, international standards are a double-edged sword. On one hand, compliance could open the door to foreign investment and integration with Gulf and global financial systems. On the other, applying such standards in Iraq's unstable environment risks undermining already fragile institutions. 'If Iraqi banks uphold transparency and integrity, they can attract major global partners and foreign investments,' he predicted, adding that success in this direction could lay the foundation for rebuilding Iraq's financial infrastructure.

PM Al-Sudani: Iraq's Riyada Initiative delivers 22,000 jobs
PM Al-Sudani: Iraq's Riyada Initiative delivers 22,000 jobs

Shafaq News

time13 hours ago

  • Shafaq News

PM Al-Sudani: Iraq's Riyada Initiative delivers 22,000 jobs

Shafaq News – Baghdad On Sunday, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani announced that nearly half a million people have registered for the government's Riyada Initiative, which has so far created around 22,000 jobs through loans. According to a statement from the Prime Minister's media office, nearly half a million Iraqis aged 18 to 50 have registered for the program. Over the past 18 months, more than 90,000 participants have undergone training, 48,000 have completed it, and 12,000 loans have been disbursed. The Parliamentary Committee on Labor, Social Affairs, and Displaced Persons pointed out that nearly 15 million Iraqis are unemployed. Among the government's responses to this crisis is the Riyada Initiative, launched in March 2023 to support young people through loans and small projects aimed at boosting the private sector and creating jobs. Training activities began in July 2023, and the first batch of loans was released in March 2024, drawing broad participation from Iraqi youth.

Gold prices hold steady in Baghdad, Erbil markets
Gold prices hold steady in Baghdad, Erbil markets

Shafaq News

time16 hours ago

  • Shafaq News

Gold prices hold steady in Baghdad, Erbil markets

Shafaq News – Baghdad / Erbil On Sunday, gold prices remained stable in Baghdad and Erbil markets. According to a survey by Shafaq News Agency, gold prices on Baghdad's Al-Nahr Street recorded a selling price of 663,000 IQD per mithqal (equivalent to five grams) for 21-carat gold, including Gulf, Turkish, and European varieties, with a buying price of 659,000 IQD. The selling price for 21-carat Iraqi gold was 633,000 IQD, with a buying price of 629,000 IQD. In jewelry stores, the selling price per mithqal of 21-carat Gulf gold ranged between 665,000 and 675,000 IQD, while Iraqi gold sold for between 635,000 and 645,000 IQD. In Erbil, 22-carat gold was sold at 696,000 IQD per mithqal, 21-carat gold at 660,000 IQD, and 18-carat gold at 565,000 IQD.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store