Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Iran to provide Iraq with fuel and electricity
Region
(Voices of Iraq) - The Iranian government will supply Iraq with fuel and electricity during the coming seven months and allocate $1 million to rebuild Iraqi infrastructure, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Mohammad Rida Baqeri said. During a news conference held following the second Iraq's Neighbors' Conference on Sunday, Baqeri indicated that his government will provide Iraq with up to 1,250 megawatts of electricity during the coming few months.
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on Sunday inaugurated the 2nd conference of Iraq's neighbors in Baghdad with the participation of more than 22 states, regional and international organizations. The conference aimed to assess progress achieved on the recommendations from the first neighbor's conference and the Sharm al-Sheikh conference held in May 2007.
Describing the conference's deliberations as "good and positive," Baqeri noted that the talks demonstrated the Iraqi government's ability to surmount all challenges, and a significant improvement in the security situation.
Baqeri also revealed his plan to discuss with Iraqi officials ways to boost mutual relations between the two countries.
In response to a question about recent developments in U.S.-Iranian talks, Baqeri said, "We accepted to sit down and talk with our enemies (in reference to the U.S. side) for Iraq's sake. If the Iraqi government asks us to sit down and talk with them again, we will consider its request."
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on Sunday inaugurated the 2nd conference of Iraq's neighbors in Baghdad with the participation of more than 22 states, regional and international organizations. The conference aimed to assess progress achieved on the recommendations from the first neighbor's conference and the Sharm al-Sheikh conference held in May 2007.
Describing the conference's deliberations as "good and positive," Baqeri noted that the talks demonstrated the Iraqi government's ability to surmount all challenges, and a significant improvement in the security situation.
Baqeri also revealed his plan to discuss with Iraqi officials ways to boost mutual relations between the two countries.
In response to a question about recent developments in U.S.-Iranian talks, Baqeri said, "We accepted to sit down and talk with our enemies (in reference to the U.S. side) for Iraq's sake. If the Iraqi government asks us to sit down and talk with them again, we will consider its request."
Labels: electricity, fuel, Iran, Iraq, Mohammad Rida Baqeri, regional conference
Monday, August 06, 2007
Iraq's power grid is on the brink of collapse
Electricity
(The Guardian) - Iraq's power grid is on the brink of collapse because of insurgent sabotage, rising demand, fuel shortages and provinces that are unplugging local power stations from the national grid, according to officials. Aziz al-Shimari, an electricity ministry spokesman, said at the weekend that power generation nationally was only meeting half the demand, and there had been four nationwide blackouts over the past two days. The shortages across the country were the worst since the summer of 2003, shortly after the US-led invasion to topple Saddam Hussein, he added.
Power supplies in Baghdad have been sporadic all summer and now are down to just a few hours a day at most. The water supply in the capital has also been severely curtailed by power blackouts and cuts that have affected pumping and filtration stations. Kerbala province, south of Baghdad, has been without power for three days, causing water mains to go dry in the Shia holy city of Kerbala, the provincial capital.
Electricity shortages are a perennial problem in Iraq, even though it sits atop one of the world's largest crude oil reserves. The national power grid became decrepit under Saddam Hussein because his regime was under UN sanctions after the Gulf war and had trouble buying equipment to upgrade the system. The power problems are only adding to the misery of Iraqis, already suffering from the effects of more than four years of war and sectarian violence. Outages make life almost unbearable in the summer months, when average daily temperatures reach between 43.3C (110F) and 48.8C.
One of the biggest problems facing the national grid is the move by provinces to disconnect their power plants from the system, reducing the overall amount of electricity being generated for the entire country. Provinces say they have no choice because they are not getting as much electricity in return for what they produce, mainly because the capital requires so much power.
"Many southern provinces - such as Basra, Diwaniya, Nassiriya, Babil - have disconnected their power plants from the national grid. Northern provinces, including Kurdistan, are doing the same," Mr Shimari said. "We have absolutely no control over some areas in the south. "The national grid will collapse if the provinces do not abide by rules regarding their share of electricity. Everybody will lose and there will be no electricity winner," Mr Shimari said.
He complained that Baghdad was unable to stop provincial power stations pulling out of the national system or provinces failing to take themselves off the grid once they had used their daily ration of electricity. Compounding the problem, Mr Shimari said of 17 power lines running into the capital, only two were operational. The rest had been sabotaged.
Fuel shortages are also a major problem. Ghalib al-Daami, a provincial spokesman in Kerbala, said a 50-megawatt power station had been shut down due to a lack of fuel, leaving the entire province without water and electricity for three days. He said sewage was seeping above ground across nearly half the city because pumping trucks used to clean septic tanks had been unable to operate due to petrol shortages. The sewage was causing a health threat to citizens and contaminating crops in the region.
Many people who would normally rely on small, home generators for electricity could not afford to buy fuel. Petrol prices had shot up to nearly 65p a litre, Kerbala residents said, a price that put the fuel out of range for all but the wealthy.
Power supplies in Baghdad have been sporadic all summer and now are down to just a few hours a day at most. The water supply in the capital has also been severely curtailed by power blackouts and cuts that have affected pumping and filtration stations. Kerbala province, south of Baghdad, has been without power for three days, causing water mains to go dry in the Shia holy city of Kerbala, the provincial capital.
Electricity shortages are a perennial problem in Iraq, even though it sits atop one of the world's largest crude oil reserves. The national power grid became decrepit under Saddam Hussein because his regime was under UN sanctions after the Gulf war and had trouble buying equipment to upgrade the system. The power problems are only adding to the misery of Iraqis, already suffering from the effects of more than four years of war and sectarian violence. Outages make life almost unbearable in the summer months, when average daily temperatures reach between 43.3C (110F) and 48.8C.
One of the biggest problems facing the national grid is the move by provinces to disconnect their power plants from the system, reducing the overall amount of electricity being generated for the entire country. Provinces say they have no choice because they are not getting as much electricity in return for what they produce, mainly because the capital requires so much power.
"Many southern provinces - such as Basra, Diwaniya, Nassiriya, Babil - have disconnected their power plants from the national grid. Northern provinces, including Kurdistan, are doing the same," Mr Shimari said. "We have absolutely no control over some areas in the south. "The national grid will collapse if the provinces do not abide by rules regarding their share of electricity. Everybody will lose and there will be no electricity winner," Mr Shimari said.
He complained that Baghdad was unable to stop provincial power stations pulling out of the national system or provinces failing to take themselves off the grid once they had used their daily ration of electricity. Compounding the problem, Mr Shimari said of 17 power lines running into the capital, only two were operational. The rest had been sabotaged.
Fuel shortages are also a major problem. Ghalib al-Daami, a provincial spokesman in Kerbala, said a 50-megawatt power station had been shut down due to a lack of fuel, leaving the entire province without water and electricity for three days. He said sewage was seeping above ground across nearly half the city because pumping trucks used to clean septic tanks had been unable to operate due to petrol shortages. The sewage was causing a health threat to citizens and contaminating crops in the region.
Many people who would normally rely on small, home generators for electricity could not afford to buy fuel. Petrol prices had shot up to nearly 65p a litre, Kerbala residents said, a price that put the fuel out of range for all but the wealthy.
Labels: Aziz al-Shimari, blackouts, electricity, fuel, Iraq's power grid
Friday, July 20, 2007
Iraq signs MOU with Turkey for electricity
Region
(Iraq Directory) - Jawad Hendawi, Chairman of the Energy Committee at the Sharm-Sheikh conference, has announced that Iraq has signed a memorandum of understanding with Ankara to link part of the Turkish electricity network with Iraq.
Hendawi said in a press conference held in Baghdad on Wednesday that the Turks agreed to link part of their network with the Iraqi electrical system, facilitating the transfer of electricity to a large section of the country.
He added that Kuwait declared its readiness to send tanker trucks transporting fuel to central and southern governorates. Hendawi also noted the Committee, which includes Iraq, Turkey, Kuwait and Iran will hold its second meeting next month.
Hendawi said in a press conference held in Baghdad on Wednesday that the Turks agreed to link part of their network with the Iraqi electrical system, facilitating the transfer of electricity to a large section of the country.
He added that Kuwait declared its readiness to send tanker trucks transporting fuel to central and southern governorates. Hendawi also noted the Committee, which includes Iraq, Turkey, Kuwait and Iran will hold its second meeting next month.
Labels: electricity, fuel, Jawad Hendawi, Kuwait, MOU, Sharm-Sheikh conference, Turkey
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Demonstrations in Samawa against power, fuel shortages
Electricity
(Azzaman) - Thousands of people went to the streets in the southern Province of Muthana, protesting power and fuel shortages. The demonstration took place in Samawa, Muthana’s capital, with the organizers warning of grave consequence if the current shortages of fuel and power were not addressed. Demonstrations also took place in Rumaitha, a provincial town.
Residents say the province has been without electricity in the past few days. The total outage has had detrimental impact on public services. The outage has been aggravated by chronic fuel shortages. The crisis, officials say, is unprecedented in the province’s history. A senior provincial official, Ridaydh Dwaini, blamed the Ministry of Electricity for the crisis.
He said the province does not have its own power-generating plant and totally relies on the national grid for supplies. But the ministry says acts of sabotage, particularly of pylons, have increased substantially recently making it very hard to control the national grid. The head of Samawa fuel distribution center, Kamel Mohsen, also blamed the Ministry of Electricity, saying filling stations and distribution centers rely on continuous power supplies to operate.
Samawa has a small refinery capable of meeting nearly half of the province’s fuel demands. But Mohsen said a fuel tanker was blown up in the refinery itself recently, setting loading pumps and meters on fire.
Residents say the province has been without electricity in the past few days. The total outage has had detrimental impact on public services. The outage has been aggravated by chronic fuel shortages. The crisis, officials say, is unprecedented in the province’s history. A senior provincial official, Ridaydh Dwaini, blamed the Ministry of Electricity for the crisis.
He said the province does not have its own power-generating plant and totally relies on the national grid for supplies. But the ministry says acts of sabotage, particularly of pylons, have increased substantially recently making it very hard to control the national grid. The head of Samawa fuel distribution center, Kamel Mohsen, also blamed the Ministry of Electricity, saying filling stations and distribution centers rely on continuous power supplies to operate.
Samawa has a small refinery capable of meeting nearly half of the province’s fuel demands. But Mohsen said a fuel tanker was blown up in the refinery itself recently, setting loading pumps and meters on fire.
Labels: electricity, fuel, Muthana, Samawa
Monday, May 28, 2007
No Water, No Electricity…One Liter Of Fuel Reaches 1,500 ID
(Baghdad Newspaper) - 27 MAY - It seems that the Electricity Ministry has made a deal with Baghdad Municipality to hurt the Iraqi people, especially students. Citizens have forgotten about their electricity problems but they are surprised there is no water and this is occurring all over Baghdad. This water crisis is beginning at the same time as the final exams for students.
The Iraqi people also have another problem which is called fuel. A long time ago, when Iraqi men came back home they brought a small bag containing fruits. Nowadays, when Iraqi men come home they bring a small jug containing five liters of fuel. We call this jug ‘debah.’ Today, if we ask anyone about the price of this jug he will be able to answer you quickly. Yesterday, the price was just 5,000 ID ($4), but today the price is 7,000 ID ($5.50).
The Iraqi people also have another problem which is called fuel. A long time ago, when Iraqi men came back home they brought a small bag containing fruits. Nowadays, when Iraqi men come home they bring a small jug containing five liters of fuel. We call this jug ‘debah.’ Today, if we ask anyone about the price of this jug he will be able to answer you quickly. Yesterday, the price was just 5,000 ID ($4), but today the price is 7,000 ID ($5.50).
Traditionally, when Iraqi families visit each other they often bring a gift. Nowadays, the Iraqi family takes a five liter jug of fuel as a gift. When somebody visits a home, you will see yourself seated in a sauna because the house owner does not have fuel for their generator [for the air conditioner to operate]. Therefore, you have to leave their house, but if you have five liters of fuel, you will enjoy the visit with your friends.
Electricity Ministry officials often state, “The southern provinces take Baghdad’s share of the electricity.” But we also see the southern provinces do not have electricity either. So where is the electricity? The other problem is that the Electricity Ministry asked the Industry Ministry to close its factories for two months. In the past, we had many factories and we also had enough electricity.
Labels: debah, electricity, fuel, Ministry of Electricity, water
Friday, May 18, 2007
Iraqis Are Angry…No Power, No Water, No Fuel
Reconstruction
(Al Mashriq Newspaper AR.) - 17 MAY - Iraqis’ “anger level” has reached the top (maximum level)…due to the three-headed crises of: water, power, and fuel. Iraqis were already tired of the security situation years ago. And NOW, the Iraqis are suffering from: an entire absence of electricity… AND a lack of water… AND a lack of fuel!
Iraqis told this Newspaper that the government has failed to find solutions to these crises. And (some more) Iraqis said: the (government) officials have electricity AND water AND fuel… while the (normal) Iraqi people suffer!
This Newspaper called Oil Ministry spokesman Assim Jihad and asked him about the current fuel crisis. Jihad said, “Some (security) checkpoints have not allowed fuel tankers to pass through…some do; but, others do not.” He revealed that the Oil Ministry intends to reopen some of Iraq’s “closed” fuel stations. He further stated: the Oil Ministry has contacted the MOI and MOD about allowing fuel tankers to pass through checkpoints.
Regarding the water problem, an official at Baghdad’s Municipality (government) said, “Due to the electrical power outages, we are unable to operate the eastern Tigris River water project.” He (the Municipality official) stressed that Baghdad’s problem is not (due to a shortage of) water; but, rather it is due to the power outages (electricity drives the water pumps and machinery).
In a related issue, [Note: the following statement is the journalist’s SARCASM:] the Ministry of Electricity delivered welcome news to Iraqis yesterday…saying that an entire power black-out occurred yesterday in southern “Karkh” (Baghdad west of the Tigris).
Iraqis told this Newspaper that the government has failed to find solutions to these crises. And (some more) Iraqis said: the (government) officials have electricity AND water AND fuel… while the (normal) Iraqi people suffer!
This Newspaper called Oil Ministry spokesman Assim Jihad and asked him about the current fuel crisis. Jihad said, “Some (security) checkpoints have not allowed fuel tankers to pass through…some do; but, others do not.” He revealed that the Oil Ministry intends to reopen some of Iraq’s “closed” fuel stations. He further stated: the Oil Ministry has contacted the MOI and MOD about allowing fuel tankers to pass through checkpoints.
Regarding the water problem, an official at Baghdad’s Municipality (government) said, “Due to the electrical power outages, we are unable to operate the eastern Tigris River water project.” He (the Municipality official) stressed that Baghdad’s problem is not (due to a shortage of) water; but, rather it is due to the power outages (electricity drives the water pumps and machinery).
In a related issue, [Note: the following statement is the journalist’s SARCASM:] the Ministry of Electricity delivered welcome news to Iraqis yesterday…saying that an entire power black-out occurred yesterday in southern “Karkh” (Baghdad west of the Tigris).
A source at the Electricity Ministry said that a high voltage power transmission line was “exposed to sabotage” (damaged by an attack). As a [Sarcastic] reminder (from the author)…if this electrical power line was not sabotaged (damaged)… then the Iraqi people could have had one or two hours worth of electricity!!! (per day…referring to the “normal” amount for many areas in Baghdad lately).
Labels: Assim Jihad, electricity, fuel, Iraq, Ministry of Electricity, water
Friday, February 16, 2007
Strikes in Mosul over fuel shortages
(Azzaman) Taxi and bus drivers are staging a strike in the northern city of Mosul over fuel shortages. The strike has almost brought life to a standstill in the city home to nearly two million people. Drivers taking part in the strike said they had not received their share of subsidized petrol for more than a month.
Iraq’s fuel crisis started shortly after the U.S. invasion and has since aggravated and is felt across the country. Fuel is extremely hard to get and the scanty quantities available in the spot market are beyond the reach of the majority of Iraqis.
The head of the transport union in the Province of Nineveh of which Mosul is the capital said the drivers went on strike without telling the union. “Nonetheless, we support them and will offer whatever it needs to have their demands satisfied,” said Shafaa Taha, the transport union chief. He accused the local authorities of failing to honor promises to provide drivers with the fuel they need.
“Most private factories in Mosul are idle for lack of fuel and as result a great number of workers are without jobs, exacerbating unemployment,” he said. A source at the State Company for Oil Products in the north said Mosul has been without fuel supplies for over a month. He aid the city needed one million liters of gasoline a day and 700 tons of liquefied gas. The refinery complex in Baiji, north of Baghdad, used to supply the city with its fuel needs. But the source alleged that corruption and mismanagement were preventing the complex from working “properly”. “The refinery is under the influence of a mafia-like gang which controls production and distribution,” he said.
Iraq’s fuel crisis started shortly after the U.S. invasion and has since aggravated and is felt across the country. Fuel is extremely hard to get and the scanty quantities available in the spot market are beyond the reach of the majority of Iraqis.
The head of the transport union in the Province of Nineveh of which Mosul is the capital said the drivers went on strike without telling the union. “Nonetheless, we support them and will offer whatever it needs to have their demands satisfied,” said Shafaa Taha, the transport union chief. He accused the local authorities of failing to honor promises to provide drivers with the fuel they need.
“Most private factories in Mosul are idle for lack of fuel and as result a great number of workers are without jobs, exacerbating unemployment,” he said. A source at the State Company for Oil Products in the north said Mosul has been without fuel supplies for over a month. He aid the city needed one million liters of gasoline a day and 700 tons of liquefied gas. The refinery complex in Baiji, north of Baghdad, used to supply the city with its fuel needs. But the source alleged that corruption and mismanagement were preventing the complex from working “properly”. “The refinery is under the influence of a mafia-like gang which controls production and distribution,” he said.
