Electric light at the end of the tunnel

MUTHANNA / Aswat al-Iraq: Iraqi Minister of Electricity Kareem Waheed on Monday said the problem of electricity will be over once and for all by the year 2011, referring to contracts signed by his ministry recently to build power stations at combined capacity of 10,200 megawatt. “The country’s actual power needs are 12,000 megawatt and by 2011 there will be an energy surplus,” Waheed told Aswat al-Iraq on the sidelines of ceremonies to inaugurate the Samawa power station at a capacity of 60 mw in the presence of in the presence of Japanese State Secretary for Foreign Affairs Seiko Hashimoto, the deputy commander of the Multi-National Force – Iraq (MNF-I) and Muthanna province officials on Monday. Samawa, the capital city of Muthanna, lies 280 km south of Baghdad. The Electricity Ministry had signed last Monday a contract to import power stations from the U.S. giant General Electric at a capacity of 7,000 megawatt and a cost of $3 billion in a bid to enhance Iraq’s power grid. Yesterday the ministry signed another contract with Siemens to build more stations at a capacity of 3,300 megawatt.
(Aswat Aliraq)

This story from an Iraqi news source (associated with Reuters) indicates two things apart from the story itself. First, the energy picture in Iraq is improving. Second, Iraq is buying stuff from the United States--and that's a good thing. A nation with excess energy might buy more stuff later on, also.

Any evidence that Iraq would have taken a path akin to this under Saddam Hussein?

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.

Iraq to pass election law on Wednesday?

BAGHDAD, Sept.16 (VOI) - The chief of Parliament's legal committee on Tuesday said blocs have overcome most of controversial issues for the provincial elections law, expecting the law to be passed tomorrow.
(Aswal Aliraq)

Better late than never, and I'll believe it when I see it.

But great news if it's true.

Iraq boosting electrical output

BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq's electricity production jumped more than 10 percent in roughly the first six months of 2008 compared to the same period a year ago, the director of energy operations for coalition forces said Sunday.

Iraqi authorities have taken advantage of the recent decline in violence to repair damaged power stations and begin building new infrastructure, Brig. Carew Wilks said at a news conference in Baghdad's Green Zone.

(AP)

Insurgent activity had done a great deal to hamper improvements in Iraq's infrastructure. The success of the surge will finally make Iraq attractive enough for foreign investment. The Iraqi people will benefit.

Nice to see the Associated Press associated with some good news.

United Arab Emirates agree to post ambassador in Baghdad

BAGHDAD, July 6 (VOI) – The United Arab Emirates cabinet decided in a session on Sunday to appoint an ambassador in the Iraq capital Baghdad, a diplomatic source in the UAE said.

"The cabinet approved in a session on Sunday the appointment of Abdullah Ibrahim al-Shahi, the current envoy to India, as UAE ambassador in Baghdad," the Agence France Presse (AFP) quoted the source, who preferred not to have his name mentioned, as saying.
The step comes one month after UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan's visit to Baghdad, the first ever by a Gulf official at this level since the fall of the former regime in 2003.
Iraqi Prime Minister on Sunday said canceling Iraq's debts due for the UAE would improve his country's economy and help stabilize security.

(Aswat Aliraq)

A stabilizing representative government ... normalizing relationships with its neighbors ... violence receding ... what's not to like about that?

Over at icasualties.org it took them days before they posted a box for coalition deaths in July. The first death was not combat related and took place on Sunday (July 7, though the story at Aswat Aliraq was time stamped July 6).

Aswat Aliraq, the Iraqi newspaper I use to keep abreast of Iraqi news, is planning to launch a new Web site. It remains to be seen how that will affect existing hotlinks.