Attacks take out some northern Iraq power

MOSUL, Iraq, April 7 (UPI) -- Attacks on northern Iraq's power sector have halted a power plant near the Mosul dam.

"Bomb explosions on Saturday damaged a number of power transmission lines in the province of Ninewa," a source from Iraq's Electricity Ministry told the Voices of Iraq news agency. "Power plants were adversely affected."

Iraq's power sector is a frequent target of the insurgency, aimed at cutting off and harming vital infrastructure. The oil sector, especially the northern oil pipeline from Kirkuk to Turkey, is also targeted.

"Engineering personnel since (Saturday) had begun working to repair the damage and hoped to return to service over the next few days," the source said.

Iraqis have seen an increase in electricity over the past year, according to the U.S. State Department.

While there are widespread complaints of unequal distribution and unreliable electricity availability, the department's Iraq Weekly Status Report said supply is currently 8 percent higher than last year, though demand has increased 23 percent.