American Studies Institute: Without broad reforms, Iraq cannot solve the electricity problem

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[size=52]American Studies Institute: Without broad reforms, Iraq cannot solve the electricity problem[/size]

[size=45]Translated by / Hamed Ahmed[/size]
[size=45]A report by the Middle East Institute for Studies in Washington indicated that two decades after the US invasion of Iraq in 2003, efforts to improve the electrical energy infrastructure in Iraq are still lagging, despite the country's huge reserves of crude oil and natural gas, as it is living in a chronic crisis. With power outages, he relied on the gas and electricity he imported from the neighboring country, Iran, to bridge part of this gap.[/size]
[size=45]For this reason, there is a clear need to search for cleaner alternatives represented by renewable energy systems. However, bringing these systems may be hampered by the same infrastructure problems that impeded the electricity sector, which go beyond generation problems.[/size]
[size=45]The report states that Iraq suffers from two problems together, which is that there is an increasing demand for electric power on the one hand and the lack of sufficient investment, and the lack of reforms in the field of generation, transmission and distribution of electric power, and this results in a great mismatch between the quantity of supply and demand, and the residential and commercial sectors are The industrial sector is the largest consumer of energy, and this is accompanied by the absence or weakness of measures to rationalize and ration consumption.[/size]
[size=45]The electricity generation process in the country is often irregular and faltering, and is exacerbated by the effects of climate change. Iraq is the fifth most vulnerable country to the effects of climate change in the world, which includes high temperatures, droughts, floods and sandstorms. Therefore, the high temperatures increase the demand for electricity, while the low supply is due to the inefficiency of the infrastructure of the electricity sector. Most countries in the Middle East face severe demand for electricity during times of high temperatures during the sweltering summer months.[/size]
[size=45]It may seem obvious when considering the need to diversify the sources of the electric power sector when there is an increasing problem in supply, inefficiency of generators, and the need to search for alternative sources, especially with regard to renewable energy sources. Iraq is characterized by having a strong potential for renewable energy, as it has high rates of solar energy sources, as well as high wind speeds in some areas. Electricity generation from renewable energy sources would increase Iraq's energy security and reduce gaseous emissions rates for the electricity sector, which constitute half of the amount of emissions in Iraq, due to the country's reliance on diesel fuel to operate the generation stations that cause environmental pollution in the country.[/size]
[size=45]In order to achieve the integration of renewable energy systems with the regular energy distribution system, this requires the availability of a flexible energy systems base and the expansion and modernization of the capacity to absorb the electricity network and storage systems, among other measures. to download centers.[/size]
[size=45]As previously indicated, the Iraqi electricity network is weak and suffers from a lack of investment in it and high rates of loss of current when transmitting it. Therefore, it impedes this integration and leads to costly reductions of a high share of electricity generated from renewable energy. Without storage capacity in the electricity grid, electricity generated from renewable energy will be injected into the grid only when it is available, leading to further reductions in supply. Thus, the government may find itself spending on electricity that has not been consumed.[/size]
[size=45]The study indicates that while renewable energy systems are vital to energy security and diversity in Iraq, broader reforms in the electricity sector is necessary to ensure the efficiency and sustainability of these systems. The issue also requires reforms in the investment environment to attract the necessary funds for these systems and to ensure that financial costs are reduced. It also recommends drawing up a plan to expand and develop the renewable energy system, implementing a master plan for energy transmission, and installing secondary transmission stations commensurate with the growing volume of demand for each region.[/size]
[size=45]The study also recommends the adoption of a renewable energy law, the establishment of a department dedicated to this purpose, and the implementation of a special distribution service that is deducted through bills with authorizations to cut off power for those who fail to pay wages. And set up an alternative energy investment facility for consumers from residential and commercial areas with low interest rates in exchange for a small volume of renewable energy in addition to storage.[/size]
[size=45]About the Middle East Institute for Studies in Washington[/size]
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