Numerous electricity plants have stopped production in a country which sits on enormous oil reserves, Minister Waheed: bordering nations are not honouring their contracts. The population recounts: 10 hours straight of electricity is a miracle.

Baghdad (AsiaNews) – Numerous electricity plants have stopped production in Iraq due to a lack of fuel.  The situation, paradoxical for a nation which rests on enormous petrol reserves is contributing to the already frequent blackouts throughout the country. The Iraqi online daily Azzaman reports that the Minster for Energy, Kareem Waheed, accuses neighbouring countries for not “honouring their contracts” in providing refined fuel.

Oil rich Iraq, imports the majority of its fuel for costs that amount to hundreds of millions of dollars a year.  Iraq’s oil refineries have a production capacity of 700 thousand barrels a day.  Currently however, they are working well below their possibilities.  Not only because of the lack of supplies from abroad, but also because of terrorist attacks, sabotage, scarce maintenance and corruption.

Waheed recently journeyed to Kuwait in the attempt to sign a new contract with the local authorities to import fuel, the production of which has stalled in the Gulf Nation.  The same minister admitted that the numerous electricity plants have completely stopped.

Energy blackouts are a daily reality across the country.  Electrical current – Iraqis on the Nineveh Plain tell – lasts two to three hours a day and when the supply lasts for 10 ours its a miracle. When lights come on you can hear the people shout: “Light, light!” In the summer when it is 50° in the shade and there is no possibility of having air conditioning or even a fridge for food infections and disease spread rapidly especially among children.  In winter the lack of heating forces inhuman living conditions.

 

• iraq
• oil
• supply
• electricity
• fuel