Iraq's electricity ministry reports modest improvement in supply hours

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Ministry of Electricity said the national power grid has seen a relative improvement in supply hours, attributing the change to a combination of increased gas imports from Iran and the partial resumption of gas flows from fields in the Kurdistan Region. Ministry spokesperson Ahmed al-Turki listed the activation of an electricity interconnection line with Turkey and ongoing technical work to raise the readiness of generating units as additional factors. The ministry said total electricity generation has risen above 24,500 megawatts, and described the combination of measures as strengthening the stability of the grid. Electricity Minister Ali Saadi al-Wahbi told a session of the Iraqi parliament that completing electricity interconnection projects with neighboring countries would further increase energy production. The ministry has previously linked declines in supply hours to reduced gas supplies and unauthorized use of the network. Iraq has faced chronic electricity shortages for years, with supply failing to keep pace with rising demand during peak summer months.