(Iraqi Electricity): Iraq may lose 1,400 megawatts if gas supply from the Khor Mor field continues to be halted

Baghdad, July 16 (KUNA) — The Iraqi Ministry of Electricity said on Thursday that Iraq could lose 1,400 megawatts of generating capacity from the national power grid if gas supplies from the Khor Mor gas field in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq continue to be halted. The ministry stated in a press release that it had received notification from relevant authorities that gas supplies from the field had stopped due to security conditions in the area. It confirmed that it had begun taking all necessary technical and operational measures and had prepared an emergency plan to manage the power grid by redistributing loads and utilizing all available generating units, aiming to mitigate the impact of the expected production shortfall and maintain the stability of the electrical system. Earlier on the same day, the UAE-based Dana Gas announced the closure of all major production facilities at the Khor Mor gas field and a temporary suspension of operations there due to “credible security threats” and escalating tensions in the region. In a statement, the company explained that the precautionary and temporary closure of the facilities was intended to ensure the safety of technical personnel and the site amid the current security conditions in the area. It added that it continues to closely monitor and assess the security situation in coordination and cooperation with the relevant authorities and institutions of the Kurdistan Regional Government in Sulaymaniyah Governorate, as well as through ongoing coordination with the federal government in Baghdad to secure the site and resume operations. The Khor Mor gas field, located in the Chamchamal District of Sulaymaniyah Governorate, is the primary supplier of natural gas to the region’s power generation plants, contributing to ensuring continuous electricity supply to its cities. This development follows a series of drone attacks on Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, all of which were intercepted by air defenses belonging to the international coalition. (End) A.H.H./M.A.A.