Next phase of Jordan-Iraq power link due by late July

The second phase of a Jordan-Iraq electricity interconnection project is set for completion by the end of July, a news report has said.

Almost 95 percent of the project’s civil works have been finalised, with installation of electrical equipment and essential testing remaining, Jordan News Agency reported citing Sufyan Batayneh, director general of the state-run National Electric Power Company.

Jordan started supplying electricity to Iraq through its national grid in March last year as part of the project’s first phase, reaching an initial capacity of 40 megawatts.

On completion of the second phase, Iraq’s total electricity supply from Jordan will increase to 150 MW.

Proposed expansions in the project are estimated to increase supply capacity to 500 MW, the report said.

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Iraq suffers from persistent power shortfalls, particularly in the hot summer months despite having some of the world’s largest hydrocarbon reserves. For many years, it has relied on Iran to supply gas and electricity but the Islamic republic is also suffering from power shortages as a result of subsidised prices charged to consumers.