Iraq is struggling as electricity generation drops by 3,500 megawatts due to the reduction in Iranian gas supply. The shortage has worsened the country’s ongoing energy crisis.
The Iraqi Ministry of Electricity confirmed that imports of Iranian gas fell dramatically, hitting roughly five million cubic meters per day. Previously, Iraq received 19 million cubic meters daily, while national demand requires around 30 million cubic meters.
The decline follows US-Israeli attacks on Iran’s energy facilities in March. These strikes targeted the South Pars gas field and related infrastructure, disrupting Iraq’s electricity supply. After the attacks, more than 3,000 megawatts went offline.
Partial gas flows later resumed, allowing Iraq to maintain electricity generation at roughly 14,000 megawatts. However, this remains far below peak summer demand, which often reaches 50,000 to 55,000 megawatts. Current output barely reaches 27,000 to 28,000 megawatts.
Iraq depends heavily on Iranian gas, which accounts for around 40% of its fuel needs and nearly a third of its electricity output. Without steady gas imports, the country faces ongoing blackouts and rising energy insecurity.
Ministry spokesperson Ahmed Musa emphasized that the supply drop poses serious challenges for electricity distribution. Authorities are working to balance the grid, but shortfalls continue to affect residential, commercial, and industrial consumers.
Despite Iraq’s significant oil reserves, the country has long struggled to meet rising electricity demand. Experts warn that the current situation could worsen if regional conflicts persist and gas deliveries remain unstable.
The government is exploring alternative fuel sources and emergency measures to stabilize electricity generation. Analysts say investment in local energy infrastructure and diversification of fuel imports is critical to prevent recurring shortages.
As Iraq enters the high-demand summer season, citizens are bracing for further disruptions. The energy crisis highlights the country’s vulnerability to regional conflicts and reliance on imported fuel for its power needs.
