Iraq has agreed to double its electricity imports from Turkiye to 600 MW, a move that will enhance energy capacity and reduce dependence on Iranian power.
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| Iraq’s energy diversification plan is strengthened with an agreement to double electricity imports from Turkiye to 600 MW, enhancing power supply and regional cooperation. Image: ChicHue |
Baghdad, Iraq — March 17, 2025:
Iraq has announced a significant energy agreement with Turkiye, agreeing to double electricity imports to 600 megawatts (MW), according to a report from the Iraqi state news agency on Sunday. This development was confirmed by Alparslan Bayraktar, Turkiye's Energy and Natural Resources Minister, during his visit to Baghdad.
This agreement aims to strengthen Iraq's energy infrastructure by increasing the power supplied through the interconnection line between the two nations. Turkiye had resumed electricity exports to Iraq last year, ending a three-year gap in energy trade between the two countries.
The decision to enhance energy imports comes at a crucial time as Iraq seeks to reduce its reliance on Iranian electricity. This move follows the U.S. decision to revoke a waiver that had allowed Iraq to purchase electricity from Iran, part of the broader "maximum pressure" campaign under the Trump administration. In response, Iraqi authorities are exploring alternative energy sources, including options from the Gulf region.
Bayraktar, who met with top Iraqi officials during his visit, emphasized the importance of increasing electricity interconnection between the two nations and expanding renewable energy investments. During his discussions with Iraq's Electricity Minister Ziyad Ali Fazil, he also addressed the need for further cooperation in energy trade and infrastructure development.
The talks also highlighted the broader regional dynamics, with Bayraktar noting the strategic significance of the $17 billion Development Road Project, which will link Asia and Europe via upgraded infrastructure in Iraq and Turkiye. The project aims to facilitate enhanced trade and connectivity, with energy being a key focus of the initiative.
In the coming days, Bayraktar is scheduled to meet with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al Sudani and Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani to further discuss energy and infrastructure collaboration. This agreement marks a crucial step in Iraq's efforts to diversify its energy sources and ensure a more sustainable and secure energy future.