Iraq takes cautious steps toward privatizing electricity sector
With the increasing power cuts in Iraq, calls are mounting to expand privatization as a permanent solution.
While most of the capital Baghdad and other southern governorates are experiencing power outages 90% of the time, the neighborhoods of Zayouna, Yarmouk and al-Harthiya in Baghdad governorate, where electrical services is fully privatized, have uninterrupted electricity. The discrepancy has gotten people talking about privatizing the entire power sector in Iraq.
While analysts believe the solution to the power outages lies in privatization, outgoing Electricity Minister Majed Hantoush warns that privatizing electricity will cost citizens one million dinars per month.
