POWER GENERATION

Amidst its fast development, the Kurdistan region has focused on spreading the benefits to the people of Iraq. The government’s strict non-flaring policy has directed all available gas – associated and non-associated – primarily to the generation of power, making the Kurdistan Region the highest holder of electricity supplies in all of Iraq.

In 2007 the Kurdistan Region’s electricity generation capacity was 482 MW. Today, it is close to 3 GW. Another 3 GW could be added to the power grid in the near future. This increase enables the region to supply power to neighbouring governorates and regions. The Kurdistan Regional Government strongly believes that hydrocarbons resources and associated power production should benefit all Iraqis and be used to cement the peaceful and harmonious reconstruction and development of the country, as envisioned by the 2005 Iraqi Constitution. Some $1.5 billion dollars has been invested in power generation in the Kurdistan Region.

While the power stations in the Kurdistan Region are dual-fuel gas turbines that can either run on gas or diesel, the Kurdistan Regional Government has concentrated on gas-fired power stations, as they are the fastest and most efficient means of producing electricity, with gas being supplied from Khor Mor, Khurmala and other fields[??]. This has resulted in a reliable, scalable and fast-track power generation programme. With the planned expansion in gas production, other new power stations will be supplied with gas through the growing regional gas grid.

See also the Kurdistan Region's power infrastructure map and power generation figures and forecasts .