Electricity in Iraq in 2023
In Iraq, the landscape of electricity generation is overwhelmingly dominated by fossil energy, accounting for almost the entirety of its electricity consumption at around 97%. Gas makes up more than half of this total at approximately 57%, highlighting a heavy reliance on this fossil fuel source. Net imports of electricity stand at about 2%, which indicates a modest dependency on external energy sources. Unfortunately, low-carbon energy sources are nearly negligible, constituting just over 1% of the total electricity consumption. This reflects a significant opportunity and need for a shift toward cleaner, sustainable energy options to reduce the environmental impact and enhance energy security.
Is Electricity Growing in Iraq?
Electricity consumption in Iraq is on the rise, indicating a growing demand for power across the nation. In the year 2023, per capita electricity consumption reached 3404 kWh, up from 3118 kWh in 2022, marking an increase of 286 kWh per person. Despite this overall growth in electricity usage, the contribution of low-carbon electricity generation has significantly declined. From a historic record of 213 kWh per person in 2006, it has reduced to 39 kWh per person in 2023, a decrease of 174 kWh per person. This decline raises concerns and highlights the urgent need for Iraq to invest in and expand its low-carbon energy infrastructure to meet growing electricity demands sustainably.
Suggestions
To elevate low-carbon electricity generation, Iraq can look to the successful strategies employed by various regions around the world. Emulating France or Ukraine, Iraq could consider investing in nuclear energy, which plays a significant role in these countries, contributing between 55% and 69% of their electricity. Moreover, embracing solar energy akin to Lebanon, which generates 31% of its electricity from solar, could be particularly suitable given Iraq's sunny climate. Wind energy is another viable option that has proven successful in states like Iowa and Denmark, where wind contributes 62% and 57% respectively to their energy mix. A collaborative effort to adopt these technologies can significantly increase Iraq's low-carbon electricity supply and aid in transitioning to a more sustainable energy future.
History
Throughout the history of low-carbon electricity in Iraq, hydroelectric power has seen fluctuations. In the late 1980s, hydroelectric power contributed positively with an increase, while in the early 1990s, a decrease marked the beginning of an inconsistent trend. The early 2000s witnessed similar volatility, with years of both substantial gains and notable declines. Post-2010, the hydroelectric sector continued its erratic pattern with intermittent growth followed by setbacks, such as the substantial decrease in 2008. A modest introduction of solar power in 2020 marked a new avenue for low-carbon electricity, albeit at a minimal level. It's crucial for Iraq to stabilize and expand its efforts towards clean energy, particularly focusing on the promising fields of solar and nuclear power, to ensure a sustainable and reliable energy supply.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.