Should Iraq rely on state financing for energy projects?

There has scarcely been a more urgent time for Iraq to pursue crucial reforms in its energy sector to ensure that investment continues even when government revenues have been decimated by low oil prices. The alternative of continuing to rely on direct state financing of large projects only increases the risk that these projects are delayed.

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.

Does Iraq have a reliable electricity grid?

Now, two decades after the 2003 US invasion, Iraq has failed to see improvements in the electricity infrastructure. Although the disparity between supply and demand is widening due to population increase and rising temperatures, corruption remains the largest obstacle to a reliable electricity grid.

Will Iraq be able to connect to the GCC electricity grid?

Another planned power initiative aims to connect Iraq to the GCC electrical grid. This endeavor envisions delivering 1.8 gigawatts of electricity by 2025, stretching from the al-Wafra station in Kuwait to Iraq’s Al-Faw station in the south.

Can Iraq achieve energy self-sufficiency without regional aid?

However, the path to energy sufficiency remains a considerable challenge for Iraq even with regional aid. Without domestic reforms to address the underlying causes of the energy crisis, Iraq’s journey towards achieving energy self-sufficiency is still a considerable distance away.

Will IEA support Iraq's Energy reforms?

As Iraq’s newly formed government begins to tackle the long list of considerable challenges it faces, the IEA stands ready to support the country in its efforts to enact the reforms that will help its energy sector – and its economy – meet its vast potential.