If there is one thing that should be reliable in Iraq, it is the energy supply. The country produces the second-highest amount of crude oil among Opec member states, and holds an estimated 145 billion barrels in proven reserves, equivalent to eight per cent of the world's total supply.
Nonetheless, over the past two decades, Iraqis have had to live with some of the most unstable electricity in the Middle East. It is not only a major impediment to economic development and societal advancement in the long term, but also a cause for short-term instability. Demonstrators in the mass protest movement that has swept the country since 2019 often point to power outages as a sign of the corruption endemic in Iraqi politics. On Tuesday, after a new round of nation-wide shortages that saw blackouts in the south and patchy supply across the rest of Iraq, the electricity minister, Majed Mahdi Hantoosh, tendered his resignation.
Analysts suggest that Iraq can produce a maximum of 17 gigawatts of power – when the system is running in perfect order, that is. But that figure falls way below peak summer demand, which can rise above 29GW. And by the end of the decade, Iraq will need to meet what is expected to be an increase in demand of 50 per cent.
Mr Hantoosh’s position was always a difficult one. The country's energy infrastructure has been plagued by war, mismanagement and corruption, and has proven hard to reform in a government that is paralysed by partisan politics. Furthermore, the racketeering of private generator providers has been woven into the world of organised crime. Armed groups often launch sabotage attacks to disrupt power supplies.
But amid this challenging environment, there have also been a series of poor policy decisions. A particularly controversial one in recent times is the pursuit of a hugely ambitious nuclear energy programme. Estimated to cost $40bn, the plan would involve building eight reactors. It is as costly as it is unnecessary; the ever-expanding gap between supply and demand could be narrowed by investing in existing and dilapidated energy infrastructure. And even if the nuclear plan was seen through to completion, it would still not generate enough to meet future needs.
Nonetheless, there is some wisdom in attempting to diversify an energy sector that still relies overwhelmingly on oil, even if the answer is not quite so glamorous. Iraq sits on vast natural gas reserves that remain largely untapped. The World Bank's International Finance Corporation has recently announced it will provide more than $300 million to Basrah Gas Company, injecting momentum into a sector with huge potential to address the country's energy needs. Iraq could also follow the example of Gulf states, who are investing heavily in renewables, including solar power. Last week, Iraq signed an agreement with Masdar to establish a solar energy project in the central and southern regions of the country, which could play an instrumental role in helping meet Iraq’s energy needs, and brand it an example of sustainability in the region.
A huge part of the frustration within Iraq is that the potential of this promising future is no secret. Political reshuffling and wrangling between powerful factions seems inexcusable when many Iraqis are unable to power air conditioning units as temperatures soar, this week reaching as high as 50°C. While the ministerial resignation indicates a sense of responsibility, it is not nearly enough to tackle the huge challenge posed by the state of the country's energy sector.
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Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021
Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.
The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.
These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.
“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.
“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.
“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.
“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”
Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.
There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.
“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.
“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.
“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Who was Alfred Nobel?
The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.
- In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
- Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
- Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Super heroes
Iron Man
Reduced risk of dementia
Alcohol consumption could be an issue
Hulk
Cardiac disease, stroke and dementia from high heart rate
Spider-Man
Agility reduces risk of falls
Increased risk of obesity and mental health issues
Black Panther
Vegetarian diet reduces obesity
Unknown risks of potion drinking
Black Widow
Childhood traumas increase risk of mental illnesses
Thor
He's a god
The Year Earth Changed
Directed by:Tom Beard
Narrated by: Sir David Attenborough
Stars: 4
The biog
Prefers vegetables and fish to meat and would choose salad over pizza
Walks daily as part of regular exercise routine
France is her favourite country to visit
Has written books and manuals on women’s education, first aid and health for the family
Family: Husband, three sons and a daughter
Fathiya Nadhari's instructions to her children was to give back to the country
The children worked as young volunteers in social, education and health campaigns
Her motto is to never stop working for the country
RESULT
Brazil 2 Croatia 0
Brazil: Neymar (69'), Firmino (90' 3)
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
MATCH INFO
FA Cup final
Chelsea 1
Hazard (22' pen)
Manchester United 0
Man of the match: Eden Hazard (Chelsea)
Super 30
Produced: Sajid Nadiadwala and Phantom Productions
Directed: Vikas Bahl
Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Pankaj Tripathi, Aditya Srivastav, Mrinal Thakur
Rating: 3.5 /5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
