Iraq is seeking to diversify its gas supply sources following the United States’ decision to end a sanctions waiver that had allowed the country to import gas from Iran. The move is part of the Trump administration’s “Maximum Pressure” policy aimed at curbing Iran’s influence in the region.
The cancellation of the waiver by the U.S. has left Iraq with a significant gap in its energy supply, as the country has long relied on Iranian gas to fuel its power plants. Iraqi Ministry of Electricity spokesman Ahmad al-Abadi expressed concerns about the impact this would have on Iraq’s power grid, noting that it could result in a loss of over 8,000 megawatts of electricity. To mitigate this, Iraq’s government has developed a comprehensive plan to ensure there is no power crisis during the upcoming summer.
One key element of the plan involves importing liquefied natural gas (LNG) via floating platforms at Iraqi ports. These platforms, which are expected to be operational before next summer, will provide approximately 4,000 megawatts of electricity. The Ministry of Oil is also working on securing around 600 million cubic feet of LNG, which will help replace some of the lost Iranian gas.
In addition, Iraq’s agreement with Turkmenistan for gas imports will remain in place as an alternative to Iranian gas. The country is also looking to strengthen its electricity grid by completing the Gulf interconnection project, which is expected to provide an additional 500 megawatts of capacity before June. Plans to bolster electricity links with Jordan and Turkey are also in the works, aimed at increasing overall generation capacity.
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and U.S. National Security Advisor Michael Walters held discussions on Sunday about efforts to deepen the strategic partnership between Iraq and the United States. Walters emphasized that the decision to end the Iranian electricity waiver was part of the broader U.S. strategy to increase pressure on Tehran and urged continued coordination between the two countries to avoid negative consequences for Iraq’s stability.
As Iraq faces these energy challenges, it is looking to Qatar and Oman as potential alternatives for gas imports, further diversifying its sources of energy supply. The move highlights Iraq’s efforts to ensure energy security and reduce its dependency on Iranian gas, especially as it prepares for the summer months when demand for electricity peaks.