Electricity in Iraq in 2022

In 2022, Iraq's electricity consumption was predominantly reliant on fossil fuels. The country generated approximately 113 TWh from fossil sources, including about 79 TWh from gas. In contrast, clean energy sources accounted for only a small portion of the total electricity, with hydropower contributing around 3 TWh. Net imports added roughly 4 TWh. Overall, more than half of Iraq's electricity came from fossil fuels, while clean, low-carbon sources made up close to none of the total production. Given that the global average for electricity consumption is 432 watts per person, Iraq is significantly lagging, which could lead to economic stagnation, limited industrial growth, and a lower quality of life for its citizens.

Suggestions

To increase low-carbon electricity generation, Iraq can draw lessons from countries that have been successful in this area. China, for instance, has harnessed wind energy to generate 886 TWh and solar energy to produce 584 TWh. Similarly, the United States has significantly invested in nuclear power, generating 775 TWh, and wind energy, producing 425 TWh. Closer to Iraq's regional environment, India has made notable progress in solar energy, producing 113 TWh, and wind energy, generating 82 TWh. By investing in nuclear, wind, and solar technologies, Iraq can diversify its electricity sources, reducing its reliance on fossil fuel imports and enhancing its energy security.

History

Looking back, Iraq's history of low-carbon electricity generation has been inconsistent, primarily focused on hydropower. In the late 1980s, a brief increase of 2 TWh was seen in 1987. However, the early 1990s experienced significant declines, such as a drop of 1.7 TWh in 1991. The mid-2000s brought a notable increase, with a peak in 2005 at 5.5 TWh. Despite some gains, the following years saw fluctuations, including declines in 2008 (-2.3 TWh) and 2011 (-1.4 TWh). More recently, there were sporadic increases, such as in 2019 (3.1 TWh), but the trend towards the early 2020s showed slight decreases. Clearly, Iraq has potential for stable growth in low-carbon sectors like hydro, but a focused strategy towards nuclear, wind, and solar could offer greater reliability and expansion.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources