**Baghdad and Ankara Strengthen Energy Ties**
Baghdad’s Minister of Electricity, Ziad Ali Fadel, has reached an agreement with his Turkish counterpart, Alp Arslan Bayrakdar, to enhance energy supply through the cross-border connecting line, increasing the capacity to 600 megawatts.
During their meeting at the Ministry’s headquarters in Baghdad, which was attended by the Turkish ambassador to Iraq, Anil Bora Inan, Minister Fadel expressed a warm welcome to his Turkish counterpart and emphasized the potential for collaboration and partnership in the energy sector. He reaffirmed his invitation for Turkish companies with expertise in renewable energy to explore opportunities in Iraq.
Minister Fadel highlighted that the Ministry has successfully completed all necessary logistical procedures and infrastructure upgrades to facilitate the increase in energy supply via the Iraqi-Turkish linking line. He proposed the establishment of a joint higher technical committee to oversee the implementation of the meeting’s decisions.
In the statement, Fadel underscored that the Iraqi government, led by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Sudani, is committed to executing a comprehensive strategy aimed at diversifying energy sources. This strategy encompasses a range of initiatives, including electrical interconnections with neighboring countries, projects involving complex cycles, and extensive solar energy developments across various provinces.
Turkish Minister Bayrakdar reiterated his country’s commitment to boosting electricity supplies through the joint line to 600 megawatts in the coming months. He indicated Turkey’s eagerness to strengthen cooperation with Iraq across multiple sectors, particularly in energy.
It is important to note that the Iraqi and Turkish governments successfully initiated operations of the joint electrical linking line (Kisk – a 400 kV line) in July, which currently supplies Iraq with 300 megawatts of electricity.
**Summary of Agreement**
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Increased Energy Capacity | 600 megawatts |
| Current Supply | 300 megawatts |
| Meeting Participants | Ziad Ali Fadel and Alp Arslan Bayrakdar |
| Future Strategy | Diversification through electrical interconnection and renewable projects |
