Mudhar al-Karawi warned on Wednesday that Iraq’s electricity production during the summer of 2026 could fall to its lowest level in years because of major fuel and gas supply problems.
Al-Karawi said current estimates show Iraqi power plants may produce no more than 17,000 megawatts this summer, compared to around 28,000 megawatts during the summer of 2025.
He explained that the sharp decline is mainly linked to Iraq’s inability to import gas, along with a major drop in domestic gas production, especially from oil fields. He added that there are also ongoing challenges in securing enough fuel to keep power plants operating normally.
According to Al-Karawi, the summer of 2026 will be very difficult, as limited fuel supplies will prevent power plants from meeting the country’s actual electricity demand.
He stressed the importance of moving toward alternative energy sources, especially solar power projects, to reduce pressure on the national electricity grid.
Al-Karawi said Iraq’s climate makes it highly suitable for solar energy because the country experiences clear skies for nearly 300 days each year. He added that expanding solar energy projects could help reduce the impact of lower electricity production during the peak summer months of June, July, and August.
