In a major push to secure Iraq’s energy independence and strengthen its ties with the international community, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani has announced new plans to add 10 gigawatts of electricity to the power grid. This ambitious initiative aims not only to address Iraq’s ongoing power shortages but also to position it as a critical player in the global energy market. By aligning Iraq’s energy strategy with global interests, the Al Sudani government seeks to foster deeper regional co-operation and attract international investment.
“Our focus is not just on ensuring reliable electricity for the people of Iraq,” Mr Al Sudani emphasised. “It’s also about contributing to global energy stability and fostering partnerships that will benefit both Iraq and the international community.” These remarks underscore Iraq’s intention to leverage its domestic energy development to forge stronger connections with the international community.
A cornerstone of Iraq’s new energy strategy is collaboration with global energy companies such as GE Vernova and Siemens, among others. For example, the partnership with GE Vernova is vital in modernising Iraq’s aging power infrastructure. The company plans to inject up to 3 gigawatts of electricity into Iraq’s grid through advanced combined cycle power plants, significantly enhancing the country’s energy capacity.
Additionally, the plan includes upgrading over 70 turbines and generators at 18 power plants across Iraq, ensuring that the country can meet growing electricity demand more efficiently. These upgrades will bolster Iraq’s energy infrastructure, making it more resilient and capable of providing reliable electricity to both urban and rural areas.
Iraq’s energy strategy also reflects a shift towards sustainability, aligning with global efforts to reduce carbon emissions. Historically, Iraq has been a major contributor to gas flaring, a process where natural gas produced during oil extraction is burnt, leading to significant environmental harm. The new energy initiatives aim to capture this flared gas and convert it into electricity, reducing pollution while increasing power generation.
The Prime Minister’s vision for Iraq’s energy future is closely tied to international co-operation
In addition, the Prime Minister laid the foundation for a 300 MW solar project in Karbala, which is the first of several contracts as part of a larger 2,250 MW solar project.
This move towards more sustainable energy practices is crucial for Iraq’s future. It not only addresses environmental concerns but also aligns Iraq with global energy trends that prioritise sustainability and the efficient use of natural resources. These efforts signal Iraq’s commitment to becoming a more responsible energy producer on the international stage.
Beyond domestic energy improvements, Iraq is also focusing on regional energy co-operation. The country is actively engaging with neighbouring Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia and the rest of the Gulf Co-operation Council, to diversify its energy sources. A key project in this strategy is the planned electricity interconnection with Saudi Arabia, which will deliver one gigawatt of electricity to Iraq. For the first time, Al Rutba in Iraq's Al Anbar governorate is receiving electricity from Jordan, and Iraq’s grid is now connected to Turkey’s grid, allowing it to link with Europe.
These regional partnerships are part of Iraq’s broader strategy to promote economic integration and stability in the Middle East. By enhancing co-operation with its neighbours, Iraq is positioning itself as a central player in the region’s energy dynamics. Mr Al Sudani’s government views these initiatives as essential for transforming Iraq from a country dependent on external energy sources into a hub of energy production and regional co-operation.
In addition to electricity generation, Iraq is making significant strides in managing its vast oil and gas resources. The recent signing of contracts for the fifth and sixth oil and gas licensing rounds is a crucial step in this direction. These contracts, which open up new oil and gas fields for international investment, are expected to attract billions of dollars in foreign capital and bring in the expertise needed to develop Iraq’s energy sector.
These licensing rounds are not only about increasing production but also about boosting Iraq’s role in the global energy market. The inclusion of gas fields in these rounds is particularly significant, as it aligns with Iraq’s broader strategy of capturing flared gas and using it to meet domestic energy needs.
Earlier, Iraq also allocated funds to build a new gas import facility in Al Fao, located in the southern part of the country. This project aligns with Iraq’s broader strategy to improve its energy infrastructure and secure reliable sources of energy to meet growing domestic demand. The facility will allow Iraq to import liquefied natural gas, providing a more stable and diversified energy supply for electricity generation and industrial use.
Additionally, this facility could position Iraq as a regional energy hub, allowing it to potentially re-export gas to neighbouring countries in the future.
The Prime Minister’s vision for Iraq’s energy future is closely tied to international co-operation. The success of Iraq’s energy projects will depend not only on domestic implementation but also on continued collaboration with global and regional partners. Iraq’s partnerships with international energy companies and neighbouring Gulf states are key to ensuring that the country can meet its energy goals while contributing to global energy stability.
By connecting its national development objectives with global energy trends, Iraq is positioning itself as a critical player in the Middle East and beyond. Mr Al Sudani’s ambitious plans signal a new era for Iraq, one where the country is not only meeting its own energy needs but also helping to shape the future of global energy co-operation.
While challenges remain, including the need for political stability and efficient project implementation, Iraq’s energy initiatives have the potential to transform the country’s economy and its standing in the global community. With continued focus on sustainability, regional co-operation and international investment, Iraq is poised to become a leading energy producer and a vital partner in the global energy landscape.
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Other must-tries
Tomato and walnut salad
A lesson in simple, seasonal eating. Wedges of tomato, chunks of cucumber, thinly sliced red onion, coriander or parsley leaves, and perhaps some fresh dill are drizzled with a crushed walnut and garlic dressing. Do consider yourself warned: if you eat this salad in Georgia during the summer months, the tomatoes will be so ripe and flavourful that every tomato you eat from that day forth will taste lacklustre in comparison.
Badrijani nigvzit
A delicious vegetarian snack or starter. It consists of thinly sliced, fried then cooled aubergine smothered with a thick and creamy walnut sauce and folded or rolled. Take note, even though it seems like you should be able to pick these morsels up with your hands, they’re not as durable as they look. A knife and fork is the way to go.
Pkhali
This healthy little dish (a nice antidote to the khachapuri) is usually made with steamed then chopped cabbage, spinach, beetroot or green beans, combined with walnuts, garlic and herbs to make a vegetable pâté or paste. The mix is then often formed into rounds, chilled in the fridge and topped with pomegranate seeds before being served.
The specs: 2017 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn
Price, base / as tested: Dhxxx
Engine: 5.7L V8
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 395hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 556Nm @ 3,950rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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Managing the separation process
- Choose your nursery carefully in the first place
- Relax – and hopefully your child will follow suit
- Inform the staff in advance of your child’s likes and dislikes.
- If you need some extra time to talk to the teachers, make an appointment a few days in advance, rather than attempting to chat on your child’s first day
- The longer you stay, the more upset your child will become. As difficult as it is, walk away. Say a proper goodbye and reassure your child that you will be back
- Be patient. Your child might love it one day and hate it the next
- Stick at it. Don’t give up after the first day or week. It takes time for children to settle into a new routine.And, finally, don’t feel guilty.
MATCH INFO
Real Madrid 2
Vinicius Junior (71') Mariano (90 2')
Barcelona 0
The biog
Favourite car: Ferrari
Likes the colour: Black
Best movie: Avatar
Academic qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in media production from the Higher Colleges of Technology and diploma in production from the New York Film Academy
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Types of fraud
Phishing: Fraudsters send an unsolicited email that appears to be from a financial institution or online retailer. The hoax email requests that you provide sensitive information, often by clicking on to a link leading to a fake website.
Smishing: The SMS equivalent of phishing. Fraudsters falsify the telephone number through “text spoofing,” so that it appears to be a genuine text from the bank.
Vishing: The telephone equivalent of phishing and smishing. Fraudsters may pose as bank staff, police or government officials. They may persuade the consumer to transfer money or divulge personal information.
SIM swap: Fraudsters duplicate the SIM of your mobile number without your knowledge or authorisation, allowing them to conduct financial transactions with your bank.
Identity theft: Someone illegally obtains your confidential information, through various ways, such as theft of your wallet, bank and utility bill statements, computer intrusion and social networks.
Prize scams: Fraudsters claiming to be authorised representatives from well-known organisations (such as Etisalat, du, Dubai Shopping Festival, Expo2020, Lulu Hypermarket etc) contact victims to tell them they have won a cash prize and request them to share confidential banking details to transfer the prize money.
* Nada El Sawy
The specs: 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio
Price, base: Dh198,300
Engine: 2.0L in-line four-cylinder
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 280hp @ 5,250rpm
Torque: 400Nm @ 2,250rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7L / 100km
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
more from Janine di Giovanni
How to come clean about financial infidelity
- Be honest and transparent: It is always better to own up than be found out. Tell your partner everything they want to know. Show remorse. Inform them of the extent of the situation so they know what they are dealing with.
- Work on yourself: Be honest with yourself and your partner and figure out why you did it. Don’t be ashamed to ask for professional help.
- Give it time: Like any breach of trust, it requires time to rebuild. So be consistent, communicate often and be patient with your partner and yourself.
- Discuss your financial situation regularly: Ensure your spouse is involved in financial matters and decisions. Your ability to consistently follow through with what you say you are going to do when it comes to money can make all the difference in your partner’s willingness to trust you again.
- Work on a plan to resolve the problem together: If there is a lot of debt, for example, create a budget and financial plan together and ensure your partner is fully informed, involved and supported.
Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
How the bonus system works
The two riders are among several riders in the UAE to receive the top payment of £10,000 under the Thank You Fund of £16 million (Dh80m), which was announced in conjunction with Deliveroo's £8 billion (Dh40bn) stock market listing earlier this year.
The £10,000 (Dh50,000) payment is made to those riders who have completed the highest number of orders in each market.
There are also riders who will receive payments of £1,000 (Dh5,000) and £500 (Dh2,500).
All riders who have worked with Deliveroo for at least one year and completed 2,000 orders will receive £200 (Dh1,000), the company said when it announced the scheme.
APPLE IPAD MINI (A17 PRO)
Display: 21cm Liquid Retina Display, 2266 x 1488, 326ppi, 500 nits
Chip: Apple A17 Pro, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
Storage: 128/256/512GB
Main camera: 12MP wide, f/1.8, digital zoom up to 5x, Smart HDR 4
Front camera: 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.4, Smart HDR 4, full-HD @ 25/30/60fps
Biometrics: Touch ID, Face ID
Colours: Blue, purple, space grey, starlight
In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter
Price: From Dh2,099
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
