LOC23:27
20:27 GMT
BAGHDAD, July 25 (KUNA) -- Iraq's Electricity Minister Qassem Fahdawi said the country needed 21,000 megawatts but only 11,000 MW were produced, pointing to possibility of using solar energy.
"Iraq electricity needs are 21,000 megawatts ... but the current production is 11,000 MW," Fahdawi said in a hearing at the House of Representative, held to discuss poor electricity output nationwide.
He said the ministry was planning to boost production through investment coupled with proper transporation means but financial resources' problem was persistent.
Fahdawi said any electricity project needed years to complete but the fuel supply was the major stumbling block, therefore the ministry sought to invest in solar energy projects.
He said the cessation of operation in Baiji oil refinery, which was providing byproducts for half of the country, have affected provision of fuel. (end)
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