The Jordanian Minister of Energy, Saleh Kharabsheh, announced that the first phase of the electrical interconnection project with Iraq will begin this month, pointing out that the talks between the two countries seek to reach the complementary link between them.
Kharabsheh added, during an interview with the Egyptian "Taqa" platform, that there is a project for electrical interconnection with Iraq, and it is being implemented in two phases.
He explained that "in the first linking phase, it was agreed with the Iraqi side to start the linking line between "Al-Rishah - Al-Rutba" regions, and it depends on a medium effort, and it is expected to be ready before the end of August.
He continued: "The second phase of the line linking the two regions of Al-Rishah with Al-Qaim, with a capacity of 400 kilovolts, and the line is supposed to end during the current month."
In the same context, the Jordanian Minister stressed the importance of the agreement between Jordan and Iraq to increase the quantities of Iraqi crude oil imported to Jordan to 15,000 barrels per day, instead of 10,000.
He added that the quantities of oil coming from Iraq constitute 7 percent of the Kingdom's needs, noting that Jordan's oil needs are approximately (130-140) thousand barrels per day.
Minister Kharabsheh stressed that the agreement is more important in terms of its symbolism and strategic framework than the quantity of oil at a discount of $16 from the international price.
The Jordanian Minister also pointed out that any such activity strengthens Arab relations and interdependence and increases the level of trade exchange, stressing that the two sides want life to return to the line linking Jordan and Iraq, by increasing the exchange of tanks and goods that take place via this road.
Source: National Iraqi News Agency