Basra Begins Scheduled Power Cuts as Electricity Demand Outstrips Supply

BASRA, Iraq — Basra has introduced scheduled electricity outages for the first time in years, implementing a rotation that provides power for four hours followed by two-hour cuts as summer demand surges. A local official said electricity generation stood at 3,287 megawatts while demand reached 3,596 megawatts as of 2 p.m. The power import line from Iran remains non-operational, according to officials. Sabah el-Bazuni, a member of the Basra Provincial Council, said the local administration opposes the measure and that Basra's electricity situation differs from other Iraqi cities. Bazuni called on the federal government to take urgent action, including exempting residents from electricity charges during the summer months. Data indicates gas supplies to Basra have also decreased during the summer period, contributing to reduced generation capacity. Reports suggest protests were organized in the northern and central districts of Basra as the rationing took effect. Basra, Iraq's main oil-producing region, regularly faces electricity shortfalls during summer when temperatures drive heavy demand for cooling.