Severe Heat and Power Grid Failure Cause Blackout in Central and Southern Iraq
A huge power outage hit central and southern Iraq on Monday, cutting electricity for millions of people during extreme summer heat reaching 47°C.
The problem started in Babylon and Karbala provinces, where millions had gathered for the Arbaeen pilgrimage. A sudden shutdown at the Hamidiya power plant in Anbar disrupted the national power network, causing an overload and forcing several plants to stop working. Over 6,000 megawatts of electricity were lost. Repairs began quickly, and power was expected to return within hours.
The Kurdistan region was not affected. However, this event highlights Iraq’s long-standing electricity problems. Even though Iraq is one of the largest oil producers, it still struggles to supply enough power due to years of poor investment, mismanagement, and dependence on imported gas from Iran.
Many Iraqis rely on private generators or solar panels, but these can’t fully power homes. In the past, such outages have led to protests, especially during heatwaves. In March, the U.S. stopped Iraq from paying Iran for electricity imports, making the situation worse.
Iraq needs 55,000 megawatts of power to meet demand but currently produces only about 28,000 MW. Climate change is also making heatwaves more frequent and intense.
Although Iraq has more than 300 sunny days a year, solar energy makes up less than 1% of its power. The country aims to get 12% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2027. A recent $10 billion deal with TotalEnergies includes Iraq’s first large solar power plant and 1,000 small-scale solar projects.
Published: 12th August 2025
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