Iraq s independent energy storage policy

Could revolutionizing Iraq's energy sector be the key to long-term security?

As the country continues to grapple with the aftermath of the Islamic State insurgency, revolutionizing the country’s energy sector could be the key to long-term security. A power plant in the southern Iraqi city of Samawah on June 16. Hussein Faleh/AFP via Getty Images

Does Iraq have a good power sector?

As a major producer, Iraq’s electricity sector is almost entirely dependent on fossil fuels, which account for more than 80% of power generation. Despite its vast energy resources, the performance of the country’s power sector is sub-optimal.

What is Iraq's gas growth integrated project?

We compliment Iraq and Total Energies on the signing of a $27-billion energy deal that will accelerate Iraq’s path to energy self-sufficiency and advance Iraq’s collective climate change objectives. Years in the making, the Gas Growth Integrated Project aims to capture flared gas and deploy renewable energy sources.

Is foreign help enough to fix Iraq's energy problems?

Foreign help is not enough to fix energy issues, domestic reform is necessary. This past July, Iraq and France’s TotalEnergies finalized the Gas Growth Integrated Project, a $27 billion energy deal aimed at Iraq’s natural resources and improving the country’s electricity supply.

How does Iraq's power sector perform?

Despite its vast energy resources, the performance of the country’s power sector is sub-optimal. Iraq’s power sector suffers from a double whammy: unsustainable growth in power demand, coupled with under-investment and a lack of reforms in generation, transmission, and distribution. The result is a growing mismatch between power supply and demand.

How can Iraq improve energy sustainability?

According to Jafar, current operations in Iraq, like reducing carbon dioxide emissions and using natural gas to enable renewable sources, are vital to developing energy sustainability and contributing to the global climate agenda.