Baghdad’s Energy Crisis: A Call for Accountability
As the energy crisis intensifies and the summer season approaches, Iraq faces significant challenges due to the cessation of exemptions on Iranian gas imports. This situation has laid bare deep-rooted corruption within the Ministry of Electricity, a problem that has persisted for over two decades. The ramifications have been severe, with many Iraqi citizens experiencing interruptions in this essential service. Adel Hashoush Al-Rikabi, a member of the House of Representatives, highlighted on March 10, 2025, that the financial resources spent on electricity in Iraq could have provided continuous service to all neighboring countries for 24 hours.
“The funds allocated for electricity in Iraq have been substantial enough to power all neighboring nations for an entire day, yet these resources have not resulted in reliable electricity supply for the Iraqi population,” Al-Rikabi stated in a recent interview. He emphasized that the ongoing electricity crisis, which has its roots in the 1990s, could have been mitigated by better management of the substantial funds that were invested over the years.
Al-Rikabi urged that “the Ministry of Electricity must demonstrate accountability towards citizens. The justifications for inadequate service are no longer tenable, and the ministry is compelled to develop effective solutions ahead of the summer season.”
According to Kamel Stubborn, a member of the Parliamentary Electricity and Energy Committee, the Ministry of Electricity has significantly failed to address the energy crisis despite the allocation of vast sums and numerous agreements. He noted that funds continue to be spent without tangible solutions to the crisis, calling for a comprehensive review of all existing contracts and agreements.
Stubborn also indicated a growing parliamentary initiative, with representatives from various blocs and parties seeking to interrogate the Minister of Electricity. This action stems from the ongoing failure to resolve the energy crisis and improve service delivery to citizens, particularly as the summer season looms and the ministry currently lacks a viable plan. He reiterated that the relevant parliamentary committees are committed to reviewing all contracts and agreements made by the Ministry of Electricity as part of their oversight responsibilities.
