An Iraqi woman during a power cut in Baghdad
Geopolitics smooths Iraq’s energy transition
International interest in reducing Iraq’s dependence on Iranian gas imports is unlocking finance for renewables and flare-gas capture projects
Power cuts in Iraq in late June illustrated the urgent need to upgrade creaking electricity infrastructure, the risks of import dependence and the realities of global climate change. Amid temperatures topping 50°C in the south of the country, Iran halted gas and power supplies Iraq to address its own domestic shortages caused by the impact of drought on hydropower generation Fortuitously for cash-strapped Baghdad, reducing energy reliance on Iran is also a political priority for its wealthy allies, the US and the Mid-East Gulf states. In the same week the crisis occurred, Abu Dhabi, Washington and the World Bank each separately committed to supporting the Iraqi government’s plans to both inc
Also in this section
1 April 2026
Emerging industry must work with policymakers to convince a broader pool of investors to buy into its long-term potential
12 March 2026
Role of world’s largest carbon cap-and-trade market under scrutiny as war in Iran threatens to drive EU energy costs to unsustainable levels
10 March 2026
Europe urgently needs to bring more projects to FID, as CCS investors warn they might divert capital to faster-growing regions
9 January 2026
A shift in perspective is needed on the carbon challenge, the success of which will determine the speed and extent of emissions cuts and how industries adapt to the new environment
