A little update on electricity in Iraq

The electricity shortfall meant many Baghdadis had to buy their own generators in 2004, and by 2006 the people of some neighbourhoods had banded together and subscribed to large collective generators bought by entrepreneurs.
For five years, Iraq's state power group has provided an intermittent service of between four and eight hours of electricity a day, depending on the area and the season.

Electricity production in Baghdad now meets just 55 percent of the total demand of 8,898 kilowatts, according to US State Department statistics.

Iraqi electricity experts said meeting the shortfall is unlikely to happen soon, citing technical problems in three phases of supply: production, transmission and distribution due to sabotage or corruption.
(Aswat Aliraq)

The infrastructure situation for electricity has been awful for years in Iraq, dating back to the Gulf War. It will take time to remedy the situation effectively, but with the security situation coming under control and Iraq's government flush with oil money the situation can be expected to improve at a reasonable pace. In the meantime, I am encouraged by the entrepreneurship of the Iraqis who find their own constructive solutions.