Perspective and Prospect of Tidal Electricity Generation in Iraq

Abstract

For a long time, Iraq has been suffering from the environmental pollution and electricity crisis. Therefore, tidal energy is one of the best renewable sources should be used to solve together the environmental pollution and electricity crisis. Tidal energy is usually available in coastal areas. Southern of Iraq has coastal areas in Basra Governorate on the northern Arabian Gulf. Therefore, this study has been investigated the possibility of establishing tidal power stations in two locations in Basra, Um Qasr and Al-Faw. In the case of the construction of a 4km 2 tidal barrage in Um Qasr, the electricity generated was 98.85MW and 197.69MW to meet the demand for electricity in Basra by 6.59% and 13.18% in the case of one-way and two-way generation, respectively. While in case of construction of a 4km 2 tidal lagoon in Al-Faw, the electricity generated was 31.37MW and 62.73MW to meet the demand for electricity in Basra by 2.09% and 4.18% in the case of one-way and two way generation, respectively. So, this study clearly shows that tidal energy can contribute significantly to relief the electricity crisis in Basra Governorate.