Serious electricity shortages are just one of a number of major problems facing Iraq’s energy industry, for which solutions are proposed in Baghdad’s Integrated National Energy Strategy (INES). For the power sector the strategy – prepared by consultants Booz & Company under the guidance of the Prime Minister’s Advisory Committee (PMAC) – envisages Iraq’s total power generating capacity rising from 7gw in 2012 to 42gw in 2030 (see chart).

The strategy says electricity shortages impose major costs on the Iraqi economy in the form of lost production time, damage to capital assets from power interruptions and an inability to carry on normal commercial processes on a reliable schedule. (CONTINUED - 627 WORDS)