Electricity Minister: US sanctions impede the arrival of Iranian gas dues

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[size=52]Electricity Minister: US sanctions impede the arrival of Iranian gas dues[/size]

[size=45]Electricity Minister Ziyad Ali Fadel said that the US sanctions impede the arrival of dues to the Iranian side for the supplied gas, pointing out that the national system suffers from a shortage estimated at 13,000 megawatts. Fadel said, in an interview reported by the Iraqi News Agency: “Within the plan prepared for the Ministry of Electricity for the summer of 2023, we want to reach a production rate of 24,000 megawatts.”[/size]
[size=45]And he continued, "This means an increase in production compared to last summer by about 3,500 megawatts, which will be reflected in the processing hours, which we expect to improve during the coming period."[/size]
[size=45]Fadel pointed out that "the production of electric power does not meet the aspirations of all Iraqis because the electricity file needs a radical solution," stressing that "the current government has prepared realistic plans to end the supply shortage file." And he pointed out, "The Ministry of Electricity needs the support of all concerned in order to be able to reach equipment of up to 24,000 megawatts."[/size]
[size=45]Fadel stressed, "The Ministry of Electricity has paid the financial dues in full to the Iranian side." However, he added, "The real problem is related to the US sanctions against Iran, which prevent the arrival of those amounts deposited in Iraqi banks, despite that the Iranian side is still exporting gas to the Ministry of Electricity in the necessary quantities."[/size]
[size=45]And he goes on, “The Ministry of Electricity is serious about the process of electrical connection with neighboring countries, and is currently in the process of directing electricity connection with the Gulf countries, which will feed Iraq with up to 500 megawatts towards Basra Governorate.”[/size]
[size=45]Fadel noted, "The visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was to activate the Saudi-Iraqi agreement to supply the national grid with 1,000 megawatts." And he talked about “connecting with Jordan through the Rutba district, which will supply the national grid with 150 megawatts.” And Fadel believed, "The diversity of energy sources will give us a wider space in choosing prices for the energy supplied to citizens."[/size]
[size=45]He pointed out that “the agreements with the German companies (GE) and (Siemens) were at first mere memorandums of understanding that, by a decision of the Council of Ministers, turned into contracts for maintenance and operation of Siemens stations.” Fadel added, “With regard to the American company (GE), the contracts will be signed on 5/10/2023, and they will be under implementation after approving the budget for maintaining and operating the power units of General Electric for five consecutive years.”[/size]
[size=45]Fadel stated, "The current government's approach is to invest associated gas, which will benefit the improvement of the electricity situation. After the Council of Ministers agreed to launch the fifth licensing round in developing oil fields, it will invest and give larger quantities of gas to electric stations."[/size]
[size=45]He continued, “In the sixth licensing round, there will be special support for the development of the gas file, which will contribute significantly to reducing imported gas.” Fadel stressed, “There is a shortage of about 13,000 megawatts, and we will work to reduce this shortage in various directions.” And he pointed out, “This is through the implementation of the installed stations, which will add 4,000 megawatts without fuel, and the orientation towards the use of renewable and solar energy through investment with the Saudi side, which will add 1,000 megawatts of energy and 250 megawatts that will be produced by the Chinese company (Pur Jina). ".[/size]
[size=45]Fadel noted, "The first clean energy project will be implemented in the holy city of Najaf by the Saudi side."[/size]
[size=45]Fadel went on to say, "The Ministry of Electricity was able to overcome all obstacles in this project and allocated a piece of land in cooperation with the local government."[/size]
[size=45]A parliamentary statement received by (Al-Mada) stated that “the Parliamentary Electricity and Energy Committee, headed by Representative Muhammad Nuri Al-Abd, held a meeting to discuss the plan of the Ministry of Electricity and the files on its agenda.”[/size]
[size=45]The statement added, “The committee discussed during the meeting held at its headquarters the results of field visits conducted by the sub-committees to the departments and companies of the Ministry of Electricity, in addition to the ministry’s budget, which includes granting loans for the purpose of financing projects related to electric energy, and including them within the investment plans.”[/size]
[size=45]He pointed out that “the committee discussed the issue of granting a German loan (KFW) to finance reconstruction projects in the areas affected by terrorist operations for the benefit of the ministries of electricity, health, construction, housing and public municipalities, in addition to borrowing on the rehabilitation of the Babylon power station (400 KV) and secondary stations for some areas.” And preparing spare materials and mobile stations for the ministry.[/size]
[size=45]The statement confirmed, “The committee was briefed on the axis of the Iraqi-Chinese agreement, which includes borrowing within the credit account, to implement the projects of a number of stations affiliated with the Ministry of Electricity.”[/size]
[size=45]And the statement went on, “The committee decided to hold a meeting with those concerned in the Ministry of Electricity to see all the projects included in its budget and provide clarification about a number of paragraphs contained in the ministry’s budget.”[/size]
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