Electricity in Iraq in 2023
In 2023, Iraq's electricity consumption was overwhelmingly dominated by fossil energy sources, accounting for more than 95% of the total consumption. Gas alone contributed to over half of the electricity, indicating a heavy reliance on fossil fuels. Low-carbon energy sources made up a small fraction of the total, contributing just over 1% to the electricity mix. Additionally, net imports accounted for about 2% of the electricity consumption, highlighting a reliance on neighboring regions for energy needs.
Is Electricity Growing in Iraq?
Electricity consumption in Iraq is undoubtedly on the rise. The average consumption now stands at 3404 kWh per person, an increase of almost 300 kWh per person from the previous record set in 2022. Despite this growth, the expansion of low-carbon electricity has not kept pace. The current per capita low-carbon electricity generation is only 39 kWh, a significant drop from the historic high of 213 kWh in 2006. This decline in low-carbon electricity generation is concerning, as it suggests that Iraq has not been successful in leveraging its potential for clean energy growth.
Suggestions
To boost its low-carbon electricity generation, Iraq could learn from regions that have successfully adopted solar, wind, and nuclear energy. For instance, Lebanon's solar energy accounts for close to a third of its electricity generation, showcasing the potential for solar power in regions with similar climatic conditions. Additionally, considering the success of France and Ukraine in using nuclear energy, Iraq could explore nuclear power as a stable and substantial source of clean electricity. Incorporating both solar and nuclear energy into its power strategy would enable Iraq to diversify its electricity sources and reduce its dependency on fossil fuels significantly.
History
In the past few decades, Iraq has experienced fluctuating levels of low-carbon electricity generation, primarily driven by hydroelectric power. During the late 1980s, there was a notable increase, with hydro contributing 2 TWh in 1987. The 1990s were marked by a decline, with significant reductions such as -1.7 TWh in 1991. The early 2000s saw a brief resurgence with a substantial 5.5 TWh increase in hydroelectric power in 2005 but were followed by varying declines and modest gains. Most recently, Iraq has seen minor contributions from solar energy since 2020. Overall, the nation's low-carbon journey has been marked by inconsistency, highlighting the need for a stable and robust approach to expanding clean energy capabilities.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.