Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has announced that the country’s electricity grid will gain an additional 60,000 megawatts once major projects are completed.
Speaking at the inauguration of an expansion at the Bismayah Combined Cycle Power Plant, al-Sudani noted that Iraq is working with international partners to secure the gas needed to run its power plants. This includes building a floating platform and a permanent platform at Al-Faw Grand Port, both expected to be operational in 2026.
On Thursday, Electricity Minister Ziyad Ali Fadel revealed Iraq had achieved a record-breaking 28,000 MW in energy output — the highest in its history. He credited the milestone to a long-term strategy involving maintenance contracts, plant upgrades, advanced cooling systems, and partial reliance on imported fuel.
Fadel detailed agreements with:
General Electric to develop 24,000 MW of capacity
Siemens to add 14,000 MW
Shanghai Electric Group (pending finalization) to produce 10,000 MW
Amid a halt in gas supplies from Iran, the government is introducing measures to stabilize summer electricity generation and ensure a steady supply.
Renewable energy is also a core focus. The government has approved contracts for 7,500 MW of solar power by 2030, part of a broader plan to generate 12,000 MW from solar. Projects under development include:
A 1,000 MW solar plant in Basra by TotalEnergies
A 750 MW facility in Muthanna by PetroChina
Multiple plants across Basra, Muthanna, Karbala, Babylon, and Dhi Qar
A 1,000 MW solar project in Najaf by ACWA Power
Four plants totaling 1,000 MW by Masdar
With demand for electricity growing, Iraq is accelerating efforts to diversify its energy mix and build a more sustainable power sector.
Source: IraqiNews.com
