2025-01-28t07: 46: 06+00: 00
Prime Minister Mohamed Shi’a Al-Sudani announced a significant milestone on Tuesday, revealing that the government has successfully reduced the burning of associated gas by 70 percent. This achievement is part of the comprehensive initiative entitled “The Biological Development Road” aimed at the efficient transfer of oil and gas to European and global markets.
The Prime Minister emphasized, “Our primary goal was to halt gas flaring, and we have achieved 70 percent of this target, a significant indicator in the reduction of carbon emissions and waste.” He noted the commitment to maximize the benefits of the nation’s oil reserves while investing in natural gas and expanding the production of oil derivatives. This strategy is designed to lead Iraq towards achieving full fuel sufficiency, while also moving toward becoming an exporter of gas oil by 2030.
Al-Sudani highlighted that his administration is focused on strategic projects that aim to elevate all sectors of development and the economy, with the “path of development” project being a key component. He elaborated on plans to design transportation strategies for oil and gas, as well as enhance communication networks to bridge Asia and Europe, thereby creating favorable investment opportunities.
Furthermore, the Prime Minister expressed intent to invest in human capital, developing skills and capabilities in alignment with technological advancements, particularly in the area of artificial intelligence applications. He identified the electric energy sector as a crucial development driver, stating it could transform into a fundamental pillar of Iraq’s developmental framework.
Discussing Iraq’s energy sector, Al-Sudani asserted that modernizing the energy transport and distribution networks through advanced technologies would significantly reduce losses, mitigate harmful emissions, and bolster sustainable growth. He mentioned that the Ministry of Electricity has proposed a new economic model for thermal stations with the objective of generating an additional 15,000 megawatts of power.
He further indicated that there is a robust array of energy production projects for gas stations expected to be announced under the new model, emphasizing the importance of public-private partnerships in addressing climate change challenges and water scarcity issues.
The introduction of renewable energy sources is also a priority, with significant implementation underway in solar energy. Al-Sudani noted that once completed, renewable and clean energy projects would yield a combined production capacity of 4,875 megawatts.
Finally, the Prime Minister reiterated Iraq’s commitment to enhancing electrical connectivity with the Gulf states and Turkey to integrate with the European electricity network, reinforcing the potential for diversification and collaboration in the energy sector. He concluded by asserting Iraq’s role as a critical contributor to global oil market stability, while positioning itself as a transformative regional hub for energy industries, underpinned by a strong and resilient economic framework.