Baghdad – INA
Economic experts and specialists affirmed on Friday that the Iraqi government is continuing to implement programs to develop the gas sector with the aim of increasing domestic production, reducing reliance on imports, and securing the needs of power generation plants.
They pointed out that "the success of these plans remains contingent upon providing full protection for the energy infrastructure and ensuring a stable environment that allows for continued operations and attracts further investments."
In statements to the Iraqi News Agency (INA), the experts said, "Discussions about gas projects in Iraq are no longer limited to being merely an economic or investment matter, but have become an issue linked to national security, the future of development, and the stability of basic services." They emphasized that "Iraq possesses one of the world's largest natural gas reserves and today stands before a historic opportunity to transform this wealth into a cornerstone of energy independence and the strengthening of the national economy."
They pointed out that "the Iraqi government, for its part, continues to implement programs to develop the gas sector after years of limited investment, with the aim of increasing domestic production, reducing dependence on imports, and securing the needs of power plants. The success of these plans must be supported by ensuring a stable environment that allows for continued work and attracts more investment."
The experts explained that "targeting or disrupting gas projects not only affects the operating companies, but also impacts every Iraqi household, because gas is the primary fuel for operating a large number of power plants. Every stoppage in production means a decrease in electricity supply, disruption of economic activities, impact on health services, and an increase in the hours of power outages."
Regarding the government's efforts to develop domestic gas, the experts stated that "this path is the most important for strengthening national sovereignty, as it contributes to reducing dependence on imports, limiting the waste of natural resources, providing thousands of job opportunities, supporting national industries, and enhancing Iraq's ability to meet its energy needs based on its own resources."
Experts emphasize that "Iraq does not face a crisis in the size of its gas reserves. Rather, the real challenge lies in accelerating the development of these resources and completing strategic projects to ensure their sustainable investment and transform them into a genuine economic force."
They stated that "existing experiences have proven that investment in gas yields tangible results. Current domestic production contributes to supporting the electricity grid, although it still falls short of the growing demand. The Khor Mor field serves as an example of the ability of Iraqi gas projects to increase production, generate economic returns, and enhance national expertise when a secure working environment is provided."
Specialists believe that "gas fields, pipelines, and processing facilities are no less important than any other sovereign asset; in fact, they represent a part of the national security system. This necessitates providing them with the highest levels of protection to guarantee continued production and the preservation of economic gains."
The experts added that "as Iraq continues to implement its plans to develop the gas sector, the need to protect these projects as an investment in the country's future is becoming increasingly urgent. Energy security is no longer merely a service-related issue; it has become a fundamental element in strengthening sovereignty, achieving development, and building a more robust and sustainable economy."
In conclusion, the experts stated that "Iraq's energy future does not depend solely on the abundance of natural resources, but also on the state's ability to protect and complete its strategic projects. The security of gas projects is the path to energy security, and energy security is the true guarantee for Iraq's future."
The Ministry of Electricity had previously clarified that "the cessation of gas supplies from the Dana Gas field could lead to a loss of 1,400 megawatts of electricity."
In a statement, the Ministry said, "The Ministry of Electricity wishes to inform the public that it has received notification from the relevant authorities regarding the cessation of gas supplies from the Kor Mor field, where Dana Gas operates in the Kurdistan Region, due to the security situation in the area. This could lead to a loss of approximately 1,400 megawatts of generating capacity for the national electricity grid if the supply disruption continues."
The Ministry confirmed that it "has initiated all necessary technical and operational measures and prepared an emergency plan to manage the electricity grid by redistributing loads and utilizing all available generating units. This aims to mitigate the impact of the anticipated production shortfall and maintain the stability of the electricity system."
The Ministry further stated that it "continues to coordinate with relevant authorities to monitor developments and ensure the return of generating units to their normal operating capacity."