Baghdad reviews solar energy projects
The meeting was attended by the Iraqi Minister of Electricity, Ziyad Ali Fadel, officials, and renewable energy experts, according to a statement released by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).
The meeting addressed the role of the private sector in energy projects, which will be carried out under the direction of local authorities and in cooperation with the Iraqi Ministry of Electricity, which will buy the energy generated and oversee prices, expenses, and private sector activity.
Fadel revealed in late January that 40 percent of the solar energy projects launched earlier have been completed, adding that the ministry has prepared a plan in accordance with the government's vision, including the addition of 1,750 megawatts of solar energy to the national grid, according to the state news agency (INA).
Upon the completion of the government's plan, the electricity Iraq will generate is expected to meet the local demand, according to Fadel.
The Iraqi minister elaborated that while Iraq generated 27,000 megawatts of electricity in 2024, the actual need was 48,000 megawatts.
Fadel previously announced the start of 1,750 megawatt solar energy projects in the provinces of Karbala, Muthanna, and Basra.
The Iraqi government is acting to achieve sustainability in the energy sector and diversify its energy sources in response to the country's increasing need for electricity.
In 2023, the Iraqi Ministry of Electricity made an effort to reach agreements with significant corporations, such as France-based TotalEnergies to build a 1,000 megawatt power plant in Basra and China-based PetroChina to build a 750 megawatt power plant in Muthanna.
Although the Iraqi cabinet authorized a plan to award projects to specialized firms to generate 7,500 megawatts of solar energy, these projects are part of a larger national strategy that aims to develop 12,000 megawatts of solar energy by 2030.
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