JOINT IRAQ NEEDS ASSESSMENT Electricity

1.2.1 In 1990 prior to the Gulf War, the total installed generating capacity was 9,295MW with a peak demand of about 5100 MW. Approximately 87% of the population had access to electricity. A combination of wars, sanctions, looting and vandalism has however severely affected the entire power system infrastructure in Iraq. During the 1991 Gulf War the electricity system suffered severe damage. Several transmission lines were put out of service and substations were damaged. However, the power generation equipment was the most severely affected. The available capacity was reduced to 2,325MW and power cuts of up to fifteen hours or more were common. In some areas there was no supply at all. Three 132kV interconnections to the three northern Governorates were removed and these Governorates were isolated from the national grid. Erbil and Sulaimaniya had to rely on supply from the hydro power stations at Dokan and Derbandikhan. Dohuk was able to obtain limited power from Mosul.