Unplanned Transformation: Iraq’s Decision to Rely on Gas Plants Threatens Energy Future!

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[size=52]Unplanned Transformation: Iraq’s Decision to Rely on Gas Plants Threatens Energy Future![/size]

[size=45]In a move that has sparked much controversy, Iraq has decided to shift widely towards using natural gas as the main source of power generation for its power plants, without developing a clear and well-thought-out strategic plan.[/size]
[size=45]This decision came in light of the worsening energy crisis that the country is suffering from, amid a severe shortage in electricity supplies and excessive reliance on traditional fuels.[/size]
[size=45]Despite the importance of natural gas as a clean and efficient energy source, the lack of proper planning and appropriate infrastructure may hinder the achievement of the desired goals of this transformation, and increase the economic and technical burdens on the country’s energy sector.[/size]
[size=45]Energy expert Mustafa Al-Mahmoud revealed the major risks that may result from “Iraq’s decision to switch to gas-fired power plants without a well-thought-out strategic plan.”[/size]
[size=45]He pointed out that "this decision, taken by the government in light of the worsening energy crisis that the country is witnessing, entails multiple economic, technical and environmental damages."[/size]
[size=45]On the economic level, the expert explained that “the transition to natural gas requires huge investments to build an integrated infrastructure that includes networks for transporting and distributing gas, in addition to equipping the stations with the necessary equipment and technology.”[/size]
[size=45]In the absence of adequate funding and integrated planning, Iraq may face major financial challenges in the form of delayed project implementation and increased financial burdens on the state budget, which is already suffering from multiple economic pressures.[/size]
[size=45]He added that "relying on gas without ensuring stable local supplies may push Iraq to import gas from abroad at high prices, which will lead to an increase in the trade deficit and a negative impact on foreign exchange reserves."[/size]
[size=45]Technically, Al-Mahmoud pointed out that “operating gas stations requires an advanced infrastructure and qualified technical personnel for operation and maintenance. Given the lack of competencies in this field, the government may face difficulties in operating these stations efficiently, which threatens to increase power outages and the continuation of the electricity crisis, which is one of the most influential issues on the daily lives of citizens.”[/size]
[size=45]On the environmental front, the expert warned that “the absence of integrated environmental planning may exacerbate pollution problems, as gas stations, despite being cleaner than traditional fuel stations, may contribute to increased carbon emissions if they are not operated according to strict environmental standards.”[/size]
[size=45]He stressed the “importance of developing an integrated strategy that includes economic, technical and environmental aspects before making decisions related to the future of energy in the country,” warning that “any ill-considered steps may increase Iraq’s suffering in the energy sector and hinder its efforts to achieve stability and development.”[/size]
[size=45]For his part, the head of the Parliamentary Energy and Electricity Committee, Mohammed Nouri Abdul Rabbah, considered that Iraq’s shift to gas-fired power plants years ago was without adequate planning, noting that “it would have been more appropriate to shift first to investing in quantities of gas and associated gas.”[/size]
[size=45]Nouri said, “The electricity issue is not easy. The process of generating electricity takes many different stages, taking at least three years. Any station you want to build starts from scratch and will need three years.”[/size]
[size=45]He added: “This station will not be built if it does not have fuel for it, and there are types of fuel, there is gas and oil. Oil is always a pollutant to the environment, as countries do not support this trend globally, because they call it thermal, and thermal stations always turn to gas stations, and we do not originally have local gas, and we depend on imported Iranian gas, and this is also considered a problem.”[/size]
[size=45]Nouri added, “The current production is 27 thousand megawatts, and when the maintenance phases begin and Iranian gas and local gas are cut off, production will drop to 14 thousand megawatts. A portion of these 14 megawatts are invested. If we go to Bismayah, Amara, and a portion of the stations, some of them are investment stations for private sector companies.”[/size]
[size=45]“Therefore, the electricity issue is not easy, but at the same time it is not difficult. It is not easy because it requires the process of organizing the problems in distribution in the first place, which is the last stage of electricity that reaches the citizen, while we have waste in the process of consuming electricity,” he added, “The waste is not with the ordinary citizen, but with the private sector that owns factories, universities, schools, large commercial stores, malls, and other details in the private sector.”[/size]
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