Iraq may face a major electricity crisis this summer without urgent action. At the Washington Energy Conference, HKN Energy’s Dr. Matthew Zais raised the alarm. He said Baghdad must allow the flow of Kurdish gas solution to keep the power grid stable.
Additionally, Zais stated that Iraq’s gas shortage has already strained the country’s electricity system. The issue will only worsen in the summer when demand rises sharply. He warned that relying too much on Iranian gas is risky and unsustainable. Gas from the Kurdistan Region offers a secure and local alternative.
Therefore, at the conference, Zais defended the KRG’s deals with HKN Energy and Western Zagros. He said they follow the Iraqi Constitution and serve the whole country. “These contracts are legal and vital,” Zais stressed. He praised KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani’s leadership and vision for energy independence.
Moreover, Zais emphasized that the benefits of the new agreements are clear. The deals will boost gas output, strengthen Iraq’s power supply, and support economic development. But political barriers from Baghdad block the process. “This is not a technical issue—it’s political,” he said.
Additionally, he urged Baghdad to honor the Constitution and let the Kurdistan Region manage its energy. Zais said Articles 112 and 115 give the KRG clear authority over its natural resources. Ignoring this legal right, he noted, only delays progress and harms Iraq’s energy future.
Therefore, Zais stressed that Kurdish gas is not the source of Iraq’s problems. Instead, it is the key to solving them. “Kurdish gas solution is what Iraq needs to avoid blackouts,” he said.
Moreover, the agreements signed in the U.S. this month could transform the sector. With billions invested, they aim to expand gas production and secure long-term supply. Yet, without cooperation from Baghdad, these benefits could be lost.
Zais concluded by urging unity and swift action.He said again, “Kurdistan’s energy solves the problem—it doesn’t cause it.” Iraq must act now to unlock the full potential of the Kurdish gas solution.