Iraq is working on a plan to build eight commercial nuclear reactors as it seeks to end the widespread blackouts that have sparked social unrest, Bloomberg reported.

Opec’s number two oil producer – already suffering from power shortages and insufficient investment in aging plants – needs to meet an expected 50% jump in demand by the end of the decade.

Building nuclear plants could help to close the supply gap, though the country will face significant financial and geopolitical challenges in bringing its plan to fruition.