BAGHDAD, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Iraq's Ministry of Electricity said on Thursday it had lost 3,500 megawatts of generating capacity following a sharp drop in gas supplies from Iran, highlighting the country's continued vulnerability to energy shocks despite its oil wealth.
In a statement, the ministry said Iran had reduced gas deliveries to 20 million cubic meters per day, less than half the 45 million cubic meters stipulated under a bilateral agreement. The shortfall has strained Iraq's already fragile power grid as summer demand surges.
Saad Freih, head of the ministry's Fuel Directorate, stated that authorities are coordinating with the Ministry of Oil to secure diesel as an emergency fuel to keep power stations operational.
Iraq depends on Iranian gas and electricity imports for more than 40 percent of its power supply. Years of war, underinvestment, and corruption have left the country struggling to meet demand, with chronic shortages prompting frequent public anger, particularly during the sweltering summer months.
A U.S. waiver had previously allowed Iraq to continue importing Iranian energy despite sanctions. However, the waiver expired in early March and was not renewed. The U.S. State Department, citing a February executive order by President Donald Trump, reiterated its policy of exerting maximum pressure on Iran, which Washington accuses of seeking to develop nuclear weapons -- an allegation Tehran denies.
Despite being one of the world's top oil producers, Iraq remains heavily reliant on external energy sources, underscoring the long-term impact of decades of conflict on its infrastructure. Enditem■
