The office of the Iraqi Prime Minister stated in a press release that "the operation of an electrical connection line between Iraq and Turkey began today, Sunday." It added that the network will start supplying Iraq with 300 megawatts of electricity. The office's statement noted that "the electricity imported through the connection line, which is 115 kilometers long, will be used to provide supplies to three areas in northern Iraq."
Iraq currently imports between one-third and 40 percent of its electricity and gas supplies from Iran, but it still suffers from widespread power outages, especially during the hot summer months when electricity demand for cooling rises. Iran frequently cuts its supplies when it needs more electricity domestically, and Iraq faces difficulties in paying for imports due to U.S. sanctions on Iran.
The United States is pressuring Iraq, the second-largest oil producer in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), to reduce its dependence on Iranian gas. An electrical connection line between Jordan and Iraq began supplying electricity in March, providing the western Iraq network with 40 megawatts. The Iraqi Ministry of Electricity stated that Iraq will also complete a connection line to the Kuwaiti electricity network by the end of 2024.
