Iraqi Kurdistan urges increased gas output amid electricity crisis

Iraqi Kurdistan's Prime Minister Masrour Barzani has called for an urgent increase in gas production to combat a critical electricity shortage plaguing the autonomous region. The region's power generation has been severely hampered by a recent reduction in gas supply, a situation exacerbated by security concerns linked to escalating drone attacks.

"Electricity generation has been affected by the reduction in gas supply," Barzani stated in a government communiqué, pledging to ensure 24-hour electricity for citizens. The crisis stems from the suspension of operations at the Kormor field, operated by UAE-based Dana Gas, which supplies the majority of Iraqi Kurdistan's gas. The company halted activities on July 17 due to security risks amid a wave of drone strikes targeting energy infrastructure and U.S. interests in the region.

The Kormor field typically produces around 750 million cubic feet of gas daily, essential for powering Kurdistan's electricity plants. Barzani is actively engaged in discussions with Dana Gas and other suppliers to resolve the issue promptly. The Iraqi Ministry of Electricity had previously warned that the interruption at Kormor could lead to a loss of approximately 1,400 megawatts of generation capacity for the entire national grid.

This disruption could affect up to 1.5 million households nationwide. Iraqi media reported that the ministry developed an emergency plan to redistribute the load and mitigate the impact of the production deficit, urging citizens to conserve electricity. The Kormor field has been a frequent target of attacks in recent years, leading to operational suspensions amidst heightened regional tensions.

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Electricity generation has been affected by the reduction in gas supply.