raq started importing electricity from Turkey via a 300MW-capacity 400kV line that passes through Iraqi Kurdistan on 21 July. The 115km line links Turkey’s Cizre to Iraq’s Mosul via Kurdistan’s Dohuk, and imported power will be fed to northern Federal provinces of Ninewa, Saladin and Kirkuk during peak load hours.
Iraq is grappling with yet another power crisis this summer as electricity demand soars amid scorching hot temperatures which saw peak load hit a record 48GW in June, a massive 23GW above available capacity (MEES, 28 June). In response, the cabinet finally moved ahead with approving a three-month contract with Kurdish conglomerate Kar Group to begin Turkish power imports. A new 400kV substation at Mosul’s Kask will receive up to 500MW of Turkish imports (MEES, 11 March 2022). The Ministry of Electricity says 300MW constitutes a ‘first phase’ of the interconnection, implying 500MW capacity at later stages if Kar’s contract is renewed. Baghdad claims its agreement with Ankara allows exporting 150MW to Turkey outside the peak season. (CONTINUED - 198 WORDS)