Latest news with #ZiyadAliFadel
Iraq Business
5 days 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
6 days ago
- Business
- Iraqi News
Iraq signs deal with Turkey to increase electricity supplies
Baghdad ( – The Iraqi Ministry of Electricity signed an agreement on Wednesday with the Turkish company Alifrin to raise the capacity of the electrical interconnection line between the two countries from 300 to 600 megawatts. Iraq's Electricity Ministry said in a statement that the Iraqi Minister of Electricity, Ziyad Ali Fadel, attended a ceremony held in Baghdad to sign an agreement with Alifrin to increase the capacity of the Iraqi-Turkish electricity interconnection line. The electrical interconnection line's capacity will be increased to 600 megawatts within less than one month, according to the statement. The step is part of the Ministry of Electricity's plan to diversify energy sources and expand opportunities for collaboration with neighboring countries and the European Union. In August 2024, Baghdad launched an electrical interconnection line between Iraq and Turkey to supply areas in northern Iraq with electrical energy. The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) previously stated that the electricity imported through the new interconnection line, which spans 115 kilometers, will supply three regions in northern Iraq with electrical power. In early 2024, a 40-megawatt electrical interconnection line was established between Jordan and Iraq, enabling the provision of electrical power to western Iraq. In January 2025, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani confirmed that Iraq is achieving progress on its electricity interconnection projects with the Gulf States and Turkey. These initiatives aim to connect to the European Union electricity grid, facilitating integration within the energy sector. The Iraqi Ministry of Electricity revealed in late December that 90 percent of the electrical interconnection project between Iraq and the Gulf States has been completed. The spokesperson for the Electricity Ministry, Ahmed Musa, told the Iraqi News Agency (INA) that three companies are working on setting up the transmission line that connects the Al-Faw power station in southern Iraq to the Wafra power plant in Kuwait. According to Musa, the project's first phase, which will feed the southern Iraqi province of Basra, is anticipated to go into operation with a capacity of up to 500 megawatts.
Iraqi News
25-05-2025
- Business
- Iraqi News
Iraq seeks to accelerate gas supplies from Turkmenistan
Baghdad ( – The Iraqi Minister of Electricity, Ziyad Ali Fadel, arrived in Turkmenistan on Sunday to discuss accelerating gas supplies to Iraq. According to a statement released by the Electricity Ministry, Fadel's visit to Turkmenistan aims to speed the fulfillment of a gas supply contract with Iraq. Iraq signed a memorandum of understanding in 2023 with Turkmenistan to import the gas it needs to operate its power plants, according to the Ministry of Electricity, which indicated that the step requires additional negotiations related to the mechanism of transporting gas through Iran. Power plants in Iraq depend on gas imports from Iran, which cover one-third of the country's energy needs. Fadel previously stated that Iraq will receive gas from Turkmenistan via the pipeline network in Iran, which is connected to Iraq and will ultimately supply the power plants in the country. The agreement will enable the transportation of Turkmen gas to Iraq through Iran over a five-year period. Iraq has reportedly completed all the necessary requirements to begin importing gas from Turkmenistan in January 2024. The primary cause of the delivery's planned deferral is the requirement to negotiate a thorough arrangement with Iran, the country of transit. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan said earlier that the country will sell 10 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually to Iraq through a swap arrangement with Iran. The gas-rich central Asian country has a pipeline that connects to Iran, which borders Iraq.
Shafaq News
08-05-2025
- Business
- Shafaq News
Iraq examines power plant proposals
Shafaq News/ On Thursday, Iraqi Electricity Minister Ziyad Ali Fadel reviewed offers to build new power plants, the ministry announced in a statement. Fadel chaired a key meeting, the session included a comprehensive review of investment and power purchase agreements, along with a discussion of the ministerial committee's comments on the submitted proposals. The minister conveyed Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani's directive to accelerate procedures and finalize financial models transparently, the statement added. For years, Iraq has heavily depended on electricity and gas imports from Iran, especially to meet surging demand during the summer. But with the arrival of a scorching season, the country now faces the risk of a serious power crisis after the Trump administration revoked a key waiver that had allowed Baghdad to pay Tehran for energy supplies. Iraq currently generates approximately 28,000 MW of electricity, while peak summer demand can exceed 55,000 MW, leading to frequent power outages and reliance on private diesel generators. Meanwhile, Iraq has signed an agreement with Siemens Energy to add 14,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity generation capacity to its national grid.
Arabian Post
06-05-2025
- Business
- Arabian Post
Iraq Accelerates Solar Energy Push with Masdar Collaboration
Iraq's Ministry of Electricity is intensifying efforts to bolster its renewable energy capacity, engaging in virtual discussions with officials from the UAE's Masdar to expedite the development of solar power projects totaling 1,000 megawatts across the provinces of Maysan, Dhi Qar, and Anbar. The meeting, led by Electricity Minister Ziyad Ali Fadel, focused on finalising power purchase agreements and addressing implementation challenges, according to a statement from the ministry. This collaboration is part of Iraq's broader strategy to diversify its energy mix and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. The country aims to generate 20-25% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, a significant increase from the current figure, where over 98% of electricity is produced from fossil fuels. In addition to the Masdar projects, Iraq has embarked on several other renewable energy initiatives. Construction commenced in March 2025 on the Basra Sun project, a 1,000 MW solar power plant developed through a joint venture between France's TotalEnergies and Qatar's QatarEnergy. This plant is expected to supply clean electricity to over 350,000 homes upon completion. Iraq's renewable energy ambitions are not limited to large-scale projects. The government has announced plans to add 12,000 MW of solar energy to the national grid by 2030. This includes a mix of utility-scale plants and smaller installations, such as rooftop solar systems on government buildings and private residences. The Central Bank of Iraq has allocated $750 million in low-interest loans to support individuals and companies adopting solar power, although uptake has been slow due to various challenges, including limited cooperation from banks. See also Dubai to Convene Global Leaders for Green Economy Talks The push for renewable energy comes amid chronic electricity shortages in Iraq. The country's power plants currently produce around 27,000 MW, falling short of the estimated 48,000 MW needed to meet national demand. To bridge this gap, Iraq relies heavily on imported gas, particularly from Iran, and flares a significant portion of its own natural gas due to insufficient processing facilities. Efforts are underway to address these issues. TotalEnergies is also involved in a gas project in southern Iraq, aiming to produce 50 million cubic feet of gas per day within the next year. This initiative is critical for Iraq as it strives to produce its own natural gas for power stations and reduce dependence on costly imports. Despite the ambitious plans, Iraq faces several obstacles in achieving its renewable energy goals. Challenges include a lack of regulatory frameworks, financial constraints, and infrastructural issues. The International Energy Agency has highlighted that Iraq has one of the highest electricity network losses globally. Reducing these losses by half could significantly improve the efficiency of grid supply, effectively increasing available capacity by one-third. The country's electricity sector is heavily subsidised, and the Ministry of Electricity remains the main regulator, infrastructure operator, largest generator, and sole retailer. This bundled approach is costly and unsustainable, making it challenging to attract private investment in the renewable energy sector. Nevertheless, the government is taking steps to reform the sector. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has announced a national plan to tackle climate change, which includes building renewable energy plants, modernising inefficient and outdated irrigation techniques, reducing carbon emissions, combating desertification, and protecting the country's biodiversity. Among the projects is a massive afforestation initiative, where Iraq would plant 5 million trees across the country. International collaboration remains a cornerstone of Iraq's renewable energy strategy. In addition to partnerships with Masdar and TotalEnergies, Iraq has signed agreements with other international energy companies, including China's PowerChina, which is developing a 750 MW solar power station in the southern Al-Muthanna Governorate. ____________________________________
