IRAQ MOVING FORWARD WITH NATIONAL ENERGY STRATEGY

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 002912 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/05/2018 TAGS: ECON EMIN ENRG IZ SUBJECT: IRAQ MOVING FORWARD WITH NATIONAL ENERGY STRATEGY Classified By: Economic Minister Counselor Marc Wall for reasons 1.4(b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Iraqi PM Advisor Thamir Ghadhban informed Energy Attach on Sept. 4 that efforts were underway to advance Iraq's National Energy Strategy (NES). Mr. Ghadhban said a five member Committee has been formed to develop the NES, with Ghadhban the Chairman and the Ministers respectively of Oil, Electricity, Finance and Planning & Donor Coordination composing the rest of the Committee membership.The Committee is finalizing its proposed budget and NES Development Plan (Plan) for consideration at the next meeting of the GOI's Energy Committee. Mr. Ghadhban noted that the Committee would initially set forth long-range (as well as mid-range) goals for Iraq's energy development. It will use these goals to guide NES decision-making. He added that the Committee would be expected to efficiently coordinate Iraq's meeting of its long-term (and mid-range) goals while addressing the country's immediate energy sector needs. ¶2. (C) Ghadhban said the Committee will consider bids from experienced international consultants and hire one to assist with analyses and recommendations in the development of the NES. He urged the Embassy and USG to respond positively to the Committee's likely requests for assistance. But he also urged the USG to take a low profile in the NES preparation in order to avoid giving the appearnce of USG control of this project. He agreed to communicate regularly with the Embassy on the status of the NES deliberations. He adde he could talk via VTC to the DC Agencies including the DOE. ¶3. (C) Advisor Ghadhban said the Committee will decide later what role, if any, the World Bank and other international institutions may have in the NES project. ¶4. (C) He anticipates that the NES could contain recommendations for new energy laws, regulations, and Government policies dealing, among many other matters, with energy conservation, development of non-fossil fuel alternate energy, and reducing Iraq's currently wasteful use of fossil energy. CROCKER