Iraq Is After Reducing Dependence on Iran Electricity
IRAN NEWS ECONOMIC DESK
TEHRAN – Vice-Chairman of Iran Electrical Industry Syndicate says although Iran’s recent two-year contract with Iraq for electricity export was successful, Iraq is currently in talks with other countries to boost the capacity of its power network and imports of electricity imports from those states.
Speaking to Mehr new agency, Payam Bagheri said that Iran have electrical links with its neighboring states by land, adding that Iran’s electricity export is more to Iraq and it is because of huge demand of this country and its lack of proper network. He said during hot seasons Iraq faces shortage of electricity and it compensates the shortage through imports of electricity and gas from Iran.
Bagheri noted that during the peak time, Iran exports more than 1000 megawatts of electricity to Iraq and sometimes the figure reaches 1200 megawatts. He admitted that sometimes both countries face problem in their trade especially since the U.S. sanctions became more serious.
He went on to say that almost half of Iraq’s one billion dollars debt to Iran has been paid. He admitted return of money resulted from exports to Iraq is one of the challenges for Iran, adding that during recent visit of Iranian Energy Minister to Iraq, Iran retrieved half of its money from Iraq.
Bagheri termed the minister’s visit to Iraq as useful, adding that signing the two-year contract for electricity export to Iraq was successful. But he admitted that Iraq is working to cut its dependence on Iran’s energy by beginning talks with other countries for exports of electricity and expanding its power network.
He said Iraq usually signs one-year contract for imports of electricity and signing a two-year contract is an achievement for Iran because Iraq is currently under the U.S. pressure and it gets sanctions waiver from the U.S. for its energy imports.
He also urged the officials to work harder to make Iran the electricity hub in the region because it is a must for the country which has been stipulated in the Sixth Development Plan.
Bagheri warned the officials that other countries are working to eliminate Iran from electricity market, adding countries like Iraq, Pakistan, Syria, Persian Gulf states and Oman are working to boost their electricity capacity to cut their dependence on imports.
He noted that to become a regional hub in electricity, the country needs a strategic plan.
