GCC-Iraq power link to be operational by next year

A power grid connecting the GCC countries and Iraq is slated to become operational in the first half of 2026.

The Gulf Cooperation Council Interconnection Authority (GCCIA) and Iraq’s electricity ministry are finalising the preparations for launching the interconnection project, UAE state-run Wam news agency reported.

The discussions have taken place in Bahrain, the report said.

The project is designed to export power from GCC countries by linking southern Iraq to the Gulf grid, contributing to the stability of regional electrical networks.

The parties reviewed operational contracts scheduled for signing before the project’s official launch, and held initial discussions on the power purchase agreement. No financial details or the cost of the project were disclosed.

GCCIA head Ahmed Al-Ebrahim said connecting the Gulf electricity market with Iraq would create new opportunities for regional interconnection and power trade, supporting GCC countries’ objective to establish a competitive electricity market.

Al-Ebrahim told Reuters in November that the authority expected to invest more than $3.5 billion over the next 10 years to strengthen the grid, integrate renewable sources and open new export opportunities to neighbouring countries.

Further reading:

• Massive power failure hits Iraq despite government aims
• Iraq to generate electricity from Baghdad’s rubbish
• Neighbours to supply Iraq with 3GW of electricity this summer

In June the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development signed an AED752 million ($205 million) loan agreement with the GCCIA to support an expansion of the GCC power grid interconnection with the UAE’s national grid.

The GCCIA-UAE interconnection expansion project is designed to enhance the authority’s grid and increase the electricity transmission capacity with the UAE from 2,400 megawatts to 3,500MW, according to the GCCIA’s website.

The GCCIA network connects Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and the UAE.