SULAIMANI, Kurdistan Region — Iraq’s electricity grid interconnection from Jordan will go into operation on Saturday, March 30, Iraq’s Ministry of Electricity stated Friday.
The initiative stems from an agreement inked between Baghdad and Amman last year. The agreement aims to supply Iraq with 40 megawatts of electricity, particularly focusing on providing electricity to Iraq’s border areas, commencing with Anbar province, located to the west of Baghdad.
The 340-kilometer (210-mile) power line from Jordan will officially start operating on Saturday, the Electricity Ministry said in a statement. It was also confirmed earlier by Amjad Rawashdeh, head of the Jordanian National Electric Power Company, speaking to state news agency Petra.
In the initial phase, the electrical connection between Jordan’s Risha power station and Iraq’s Rutba station will import 40 MW, with plans for expansion to 150 MW. Ultimately, the capacity will be increased to 150 MW to supply electricity to extensive areas in southern Anbar province.
Due to decades of conflict and insufficient investment, Iraq has long relied on imports of gas and electricity from Iran. According to the ministry, it currently generates between 19,000 and 21,000 megawatts of electricity per day.
The disruption of electricity supply in Iraq becomes notably critical during the hotter months, when temperatures soar to 50 degrees Celsius (122 Fahrenheit), leading to a surge in the need for refrigeration and air conditioning.
