Iraq’s worsening electricity shortage is reaching critical levels as soaring summer demand continues to outstrip available supply. The Eco Iraq Observatory, a local environmental and energy watchdog, issued a warning that the country now faces an urgent power gap that could strain daily life and economic activity.
The group estimated Iraq’s current electricity demand at 50,000 to 55,000 megawatts, driven by intense heat and widespread reliance on air conditioning. However, actual power production stands at only 28,000 megawatts, covering barely half the nation’s needs.
Several compounding problems continue to feed the crisis. First, the watchdog pointed to a sharp decline in gas imports from Iran, which supplies fuel for many of Iraq’s largest power plants. These supply cuts have left major generating units operating below capacity.
Second, the country’s power infrastructure remains outdated. Many plants, transformers, and substations suffer from chronic underinvestment and poor maintenance, leading to frequent breakdowns and energy losses.
Third, Iraq’s electricity grid operates with high inefficiency. The Eco Iraq Observatory reports that nearly 30% of generated power never reaches homes or businesses due to technical losses and theft. These losses strain the grid and weaken distribution even further.
This deepening gap between supply and demand poses growing risks. Citizens across many provinces now face lengthy daily blackouts, with some areas experiencing outages lasting over 12 hours. Businesses also report major disruptions, especially in retail, healthcare, and small-scale manufacturing.
In response, many families rely on private diesel generators, which come at high costs and create environmental hazards. The reliance on backup systems reflects how deeply entrenched the crisis has become.
Despite past efforts and multi-billion-dollar investments, Iraq’s worsening electricity shortage remains unresolved. Experts argue that Iraq must diversify fuel sources, improve energy efficiency, and prioritize renewable energy integration. Additionally, reforms to the billing and collection system could improve accountability and reduce grid losses.
Until such structural changes occur, the pressure on Iraq’s power system is expected to intensify—particularly during the peak of summer.