Türkiye begins electricity exports to Iraq in major ‘new Silk Road’ milestone

The Development Road Project, initiated in 2005 and often called the ‘new Silk Road,’ has reached a significant milestone.

Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar announced that Türkiye has begun exporting electricity to Iraq as part of this project.

Minister Bayraktar shared on his X account:

With the Development Road Project, we have resumed exporting electricity to our neighbor Iraq as of yesterday, contributing to the welfare and peace of our region. We will also establish the Development Road as an ‘Energy Road’ with our investments.

Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar

In April, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed a memorandum of understanding between Türkiye, Iraq, Qatar and the UAE.

During his April visit to Baghdad, President Erdogan signed the ‘Joint Cooperation Memorandum on the Development Road Project’ with Iraq, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

The Development Road Project will connect Türkiye to the Faw Port on the Persian Gulf through a 1200-kilometer (745.6-mile) railway and highway.

The project is expected to impact a vast region from Europe to the Gulf countries and generate mutual benefits.

The next phase of the project, which will bring billions of dollars in revenue to Türkiye, includes plans for oil and gas shipments. Besides its economic returns, the project also offers new gains in the energy sector for Türkiye.

Beginning in 2005, the Development Road Project, known as the ‘New Silk Road,’ will connect Türkiye to Europe through key Iraqi cities such as Divaniye, Najaf, Karbala, Baghdad and Mosul. The project is now starting to yield its fruits.

The Development Road Project, initiated in 2005 and often called the ‘New Silk Road,’ has reached a significant milestone.

Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar announced that Türkiye has begun exporting electricity to Iraq as part of this project.