Jordan-Iraq electric connection vital link in Arab power chain — Energy minister

AMMAN — Within the Arab power connection system, Jordanian-Iraqi electric connection is vital to enhance commercial relations and energy integration, Energy Minister Hala Zawati said on Friday. 

Commenting on the Iraqi government’s decision to speed up procedures in contracting with Jordan to import electricity, Zawati told the Jordan News Agency, Petra, that Arab electricity connection projects would enhance efforts to develop a joint Arab market that can serve people in the region.

The minister also highlighted the importance of such schemes in lowering power costs and establishing safe grids for all participating countries. 

She praised the Kingdom’s cooperation with Iraq, particularly the resumption of Iraqi oil exports to Jordan through tankers in September, expressing hopes to take steps in implementing the electricity grid with Baghdad and continuing the installation of the Basra-Aqaba oil pipeline, which is set to export oil from the Rmeilah oil fields in Basra to Aqaba Port.

Zawati said that under an Iraqi Cabinet decision, Iraq’s Ministry of Electricity will import power from Jordan to cover the country's electricity deficit.

In July, Amman and Baghdad agreed on a timetable to implement a Jordanian-Iraqi electrical connection to supply Iraq with electricity from the Kingdom’s grid by the end of 2021.

At the time, Zawati, during a meeting with Iraqi Minister of Electricity Luay Khatteeb, said that the first phase of the project includes installing a high-voltage line connecting Iraq’s western region, Al Qaim, with the Kingdom’s eastern region, Al Risha, at a cost of $140 million, with each country responsible for establishing and administrating the project in their respective territories.