Iraq hit by power cuts as temperatures soar

Rising demand and technical failures hit power plants, leading to blackouts

Sweltering heat near Hilla city, in central Iraq, as parts of the country were hit by power cuts. AFP

Power cuts struck across Iraq on Monday, with soaring temperatures pushing demand to unprecedented levels, the Iraqi Electricity Ministry said.

The blackouts occurred as temperatures hit 48°C or more in many areas and technical failures affected power plants, a Ministry of Electricity official said.

These led to an overload on the power system in Karbala and Babil provinces in the centre of the country, causing the massive power cut, the Electricity Ministry said.

The Ministry of Electricity assured Iraqis that it was working to restore power gradually as it appealed to citizens to conserve energy and reduce unnecessary use, especially during this peak period.

The overload was caused by the record-breaking high temperatures and the surge in electricity demand due to the Arbaeen pilgrimage, which has drawn millions of pilgrims to the province of Karbala, it said.

It said the failure caused a sudden loss of more than 6,000 megawatts of power. This led to a rapid increase in the frequency of generating units, resulting in their disconnection and a complete blackout of the grid.

"The heat is unbearable without electricity and we're struggling to keep our families cool," Baghdad resident Ahmed Ali told The National. "Seeing my old mother and kids suffering in this heat without electricity is heartbreaking."

The cut, which started early afternoon until power was gradually restored late on Monday, has left millions without electricity, exacerbating the already difficult living conditions.

"We just need reliable electricity, it's not too much to ask," said Mr Ali, 55. "The government has been bombarding us with statements of its 'achievements' in this regard. In reality, there is nothing."

A man sprays Shiite pilgrims with water as they make their way towards Karbala and temperatures rise across Iraq. AFP

The northern Kurdistan region was spared. The autonomous territory has worked to modernise its power sector and was able to provide round-the-clock state electricity to a third of its population.

Despite being Opec’s second-biggest producer, Iraq struggles to meet its own growing demand for electricity because of decades of war, mismanagement and corruption.

Baghdad had spent at least $60 billion on the electricity sector since the 2003 US-led invasion of the country, former prime minister Mustafa Al Kadhimi said in 2020.

Temperatures have risen to 48°C in many areas, with some provinces registering higher than 50°C. Many residents are swimming in rivers and using water hoses to cool off.

The latest heatwave underscores Iraq’s vulnerability to climate change, with the UN ranking it the fifth most at risk from global warming. Iraq is enduring its worst drought in decades, and summer temperatures, particularly in July and August, often soar above 50°C.

Construction of dams and water diversion projects in Turkey and Iran has significantly worsened Iraq's water crisis. Decades of war and conflict have damaged the country's infrastructure, leading to water losses and inefficient distribution.