Iraq and ACWA advance Najaf Solar Power Plant
Minister of Electricity Ziyad Ali Fadel held what he described as a productive meeting with representatives of ACWA Power of Saudi Arabia, one of the world's leading renewable energy companies, to finalise contracting procedures for the establishment of a 1,000-megawatt solar power plant in Najaf.
The two sides agreed on a roadmap to expedite the completion of this strategic project, seen as a major step towards diversifying Iraq's energy sources and leveraging the country's significant solar potential to meet rising electricity demand.
Minister Fadel noted that the Najaf Solar Power Plant forms part of a broader package of strategic initiatives, which also includes the 1,000-megawatt "Shams Basra" project being developed by Total of France in Basra, and another 525-megawatt project in Babil and Karbala being implemented by a local company [Al-Bilal Group].
These projects are expected to significantly strengthen Iraq's electricity network and support long-term energy sustainability.
Minister of Oil, Hayan Abdul-Ghani, also met with a representative of ACWA Power at the weekend, during his visit to London.
(Sources: Ministry of Electricity; Ministry of Oil)
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