Electricity in Iraq in 2023
In 2023, Iraq's electricity consumption was overwhelmingly dominated by fossil fuels, accounting for nearly 97% of the country's total electricity generation. Gas alone made up more than half of this figure, illustrating Iraq's heavy reliance on fossil energy. Additionally, Iraq imported about 2% of its electricity needs, which supplements its domestic generation. In stark contrast, low-carbon energy sources represented a tiny fraction of Iraq's electricity mix, with low-carbon sources contributing slightly more than 1%. This presents a significant opportunity for Iraq to transition towards a more sustainable energy future, enhancing the role of clean energy within its electricity grid.
Suggestions
To increase low-carbon electricity generation, Iraq can look to the experiences of other countries that have successfully integrated clean energy on a larger scale. Neighboring Lebanon has shown that solar energy can account for close to a third of domestic electricity generation, providing a practical example for Iraq to follow. Similarly, countries like the United Arab Emirates have invested in nuclear energy, allowing it to contribute 20% of their electricity. Iraq could take advantage of its sunny climate by expanding solar energy infrastructure, while also considering nuclear energy due to its efficiency and low carbon output. Implementing these strategies can help reduce Iraq's dependency on fossil fuels and decrease air pollution, while contributing to climate change mitigation efforts.
History
Historically, Iraq’s utilization of low-carbon electricity sources has been primarily through hydroelectric power. In the late 1980s, there was a modest surge in hydroelectric generation. However, since then, the contribution from hydroelectric sources has been sporadic, with frequent fluctuations and an overall decline, particularly evident from the early 2000s onwards. Notable increases and decreases are seen, such as the 2019 spike with a 3.1 TWh increase, and frequent negative changes thereafter. In 2020, Iraq took an initial step towards diversifying its green energy mix with the introduction of solar power, albeit on a very small scale. For sustained growth in low-carbon energy, it is crucial for Iraq to adopt more consistent strategies, potentially learning from its own history and that of other nations.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.