Latest news with #Iraq-Turkey
Iraq Business
a day ago
- Business
- Iraq Business
Turkish Firm to Double Electricity Interconnector Capacity to Iraq
By John Lee. Iraq's Minister of Electricity, Ziyad Ali Fadel, has overseen the signing of a new contract with Turkish company Alifrin to double the capacity of the Iraq-Turkey electricity interconnection line from 300 to 600 megawatts. Under the agreement, the first phase will see the supply of 300 MW via the Jazira-Kesk 400kV line in Nineveh province, with full capacity expected within a month. The Ministry has already completed all required technical preparations, including stations and transmission lines. The project will directly enhance electricity supply to northern regions and provides strategic benefits by linking Iraq's grid with the European energy network, of which Turkey is a key member. Importantly, the agreement adopts a "Take and Pay" model, meaning Iraq will pay only for consumed power-offering financial flexibility and avoiding waste. This initiative is part of the Ministry's broader strategy to diversify energy sources and reduce dependency on a single supply channel, while strengthening cooperation with neighbouring countries and the EU. (Source: Ministry of Electricity)
Iraqi News
2 days ago
- Business
- Iraqi News
Iraq signs deal with Turkey's Alifrin to double electricity interconnection capacity
Baghdad ( – Iraq's Ministry of Electricity signed a contract on Wednesday (June 4, 2025) with Turkish company Alifrin to double the capacity of the Iraq-Turkey electricity interconnection line from 300 MW to 600 MW. The signing was overseen by Electricity Minister Ziad Ali Fadel. The new agreement will initially supply 300 MW to Iraq's national grid via the Jazira-Kesk 400 kV line in Nineveh governorate, with the capacity set to increase to the full 600 MW in less than a month. Iraqi ministry companies have reportedly completed all necessary technical preparations for this upgrade. This project is expected to directly improve electricity supply hours in northern Iraq and holds strategic importance by linking the Iraqi grid to the European energy network, where Turkey is a key member. The contract operates on a 'Take and Pay' basis, ensuring Iraq pays only for consumed electricity, offering economic flexibility. The Ministry stated this initiative is part of its strategy to diversify energy sources, reduce reliance on single suppliers, and foster cooperation with neighboring countries and the EU.
Iraqi News
2 days ago
- Business
- Iraqi News
MOE signs contract for 600 MW power line between Iraq and Turkey
Baghdad – INA Minister of Electricity Ziyad Ali Fadhil sponsored the signing of a contract with the Turkish company Alifrin on Wednesday to double the capacity of the Iraq-Turkey power line from 300 to 600 MW. The ministry said in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "Minister of Electricity Ziyad Ali Fadhil sponsored the signing of a contract with the Turkish company Alifrin to double the capacity of the Iraq-Turkey power line from 300 to 600 MW." It added, "The new contract includes equipping the national system with 300 MW as a first phase via the Jazara-Kask 400 kV interconnection line in Nineveh Governorate, with the line's capacity to be increased to 600 MW within less than one month." It indicated that "the ministry's companies have already completed all technical requirements for the interconnection, including the necessary stations and lines, in addition to fulfilling all contractual obligations." The ministry explained that "this project will directly contribute to increasing the hours of supply to the northern regions. The Iraq-Turkey interconnection line also offers numerous strategic advantages, most notably linking the Iraqi grid to the European energy grid, of which Turkey is a prominent member." She noted that "one of the important aspects of this contract is that its provisions stipulate supply according to the "Take and Pay" system, which means payment for the amount consumed, which provides economic flexibility for Iraq and ensures optimal use of imported energy without financial waste." The ministry also added explained that "this project is part of the Ministry of Electricity's strategy within the government's program to diversify energy sources and reduce dependence on a single source, as well as opening new horizons for cooperation with neighboring countries and the European Union."
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Baghdad sues Iraqi Kurds over US energy deals
Baghdad: The Iraqi federal government's oil ministry has sued the semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region of Iraq over oil and gas contracts it signed with U.S. firms, three sources with direct knowledge of the matter said and a document showed. The legal challenge is the latest obstacle to the resumption of flows through the Iraq-Turkey oil pipeline that have been halted since March 2023, despite pressure by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump. Baghdad has said direct engagement between companies and the Kurdistan regional government, or KRG, without the federal government's inclusion violates the constitution, calling the deals null and void. The KRG has defended the agreements, saying they were based on existing contracts. A speedy resumption of exports from Iraq's Kurdistan region would help to offset any fall in Iranian oil exports, which Washington has pledged to cut to zero as part of Trump's "maximum pressure" campaign against Tehran. Iraq, an ally to both the United States and Iran, is wary of being caught up in Trump's policy to squeeze Tehran. Masrour Barzani, the prime minister of the KRG, oversaw the signing of two energy agreements worth a combined $110 billion over their lifetimes with U.S. companies HKN Energy and WesternZagros during his trip to Washington D.C. last week. He met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday and discussed the need to resume oil exports from Kuridstan through the Iraqi Turkish pipeline, a KRG statement said. Reuters has contacted the U.S. companies, but has not yet received a response. "The timing of the gas deals is particularly significant, considering Iran's weakening position and Washington's ongoing pressure on Baghdad to reduce reliance on Iranian gas imports," Iraqi energy analyst and a former manager at the state-run North Oil Co. Ali al-Obeidi, said. The agreements involve the development of the Miran and Topkhana-Kurdamir gas fields in the northern Iraqi city of Sulaimaniya. The three sources spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak publicly about Iraq's legal action. Flows through the pipeline were halted after the Paris-based International Chamber of Commerce ruled that Turkey violated provisions of a 1973 treaty by facilitating Kurdish exports without Baghdad's consent. Negotiations to resume Kurdish oil exports via the Iraq-Turkey oil pipeline, which once handled about 0.5% of global oil supply, have stalled over payment terms and contract details.
Iraqi News
13-04-2025
- Politics
- Iraqi News
Foreign Minister: Iraqi government supports Turkey's initiative to resolve the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) issue
Baghdad-INA Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Fuad Hussein confirmed on Sunday that the Iraqi government supports the Turkish government's initiative to resolve the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) issue and Abdullah Ocalan's message. He also indicated that talks between Washington and Tehran represent the only way to avoid all-out war. The ministry said in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "The fifth high-level meeting of the Iraq-Turkey security mechanism was held today, Sunday, in the Turkish province of Antalya, with the participation of delegations from both countries, to discuss ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in the security, political, and economic fields, with a special focus on combating terrorism and military coordination." "The Iraqi delegation was headed by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Fuad Hussein, while the Turkish delegation was headed by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. The meeting's agenda included discussions on security and military cooperation, the fight against the terrorist organization ISIS, Zionist interventions in Syria, the aggression against Gaza, and the Kurdistan Workers' Party's (PKK) preparations for disarmament." According to the statement, the Foreign Minister stressed that "the holding of this meeting reflects the shared seriousness in addressing regional challenges," pointing to "developments in Syria, the ongoing negotiations between Iran and the United States, and the ongoing war in Gaza." He emphasized "the Iraqi government's support for peaceful solutions, while warning of the risks of regional escalation and emphasizing that talks between Washington and Tehran represent the only way to avoid a comprehensive war." Hussein warned of "the escalation of ISIS activity in Syria, calling for confronting it through the 'five-member operations room comprising Iraq, Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria.'" He also stated that "the Iraqi government supports the Turkish government's initiative to resolve the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) problem and Abdullah Ocalan's message." For his part, Minister Hakan Fidan confirmed that "the meeting aims to reach joint solutions to security challenges," emphasizing that "Turkey does not seek to destabilize the region, but rather works to strengthen bilateral cooperation and protect the common border." "The meeting was attended on the Iraqi side by: Minister of Defense Thabet al-Abbasi, National Security Advisor Qasim al-Araji, Chairman of the Popular Mobilization Forces Faleh al-Fayyadh, Minister of Interior of the Kurdistan Region Reber Ahmed, and Director of the National Intelligence Service Hamid al-Shatri. On the Turkish side, the meeting was attended by: Minister of Defense Yashar Guler, Director of the National Intelligence Service Ibrahim Qalin, and Deputy Minister of Interior Munir Karaloğlu." This meeting comes within the framework of joint efforts to strengthen Regional stability and addressing security challenges, with both sides emphasizing the importance of dialogue and coordination to achieve common strategic goals.
