Meanwhile, Iraqi Electricity Minister Ali Saadi Waheebdiscussed Iraq's long-standing electricity challenges and opportunities forcooperation with US institutions on Wednesday with Victoria Taylor, director ofthe Iraq Initiative at the Atlantic Council, as part of Prime Minister AliAl-Zaidi's official visit to the United States.
Waheeb stressed the need to move toward rapid, practical,and implementable solutions to address Iraq's chronic electricity crisis byincreasing generation capacity, upgrading transmission and distributionnetworks, and securing fuel supplies for power plants.
The meeting also focused on expanding cooperation withresearch institutions and international companies, as well as strengtheningdialogue with US think tanks to present Iraq's vision and urgent energy-sectorneeds in support of long-term solutions that enhance energy security andeconomic development, the statement said.
Meanwhile, protests in the southern provinces of Maysan andMuthanna, where dozens of residents took to the streets on Wednesday evening todemonstrate against deteriorating electricity services.
Power shortages have fueled public protests across Iraq foryears, particularly during the summer, when temperatures can reach 50 degreesCelsius.
Despite years of government spending and successiveinfrastructure projects, Iraq continues to face chronic electricity shortages. Demand rises sharply during the summer months, placing additional pressure onthe national grid and disrupting daily life and public services.
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