Ministry of Electricity: Launching the largest solar energy project in Iraq
The Ministry of Electricity announced today, Thursday, the launch of "Shams Basra", the largest solar energy project in Iraq. The ministry said in a statement - received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "Today, in cooperation with Total Energy, the "Shams Basra" project was launched, which is the largest solar energy project in Iraq."
He added that "the launch of the project comes within the framework of the efforts of the Minister of Electricity, Ziad Ali Fadhil, to diversify energy sources," noting that "the French company Total Energy has begun civil works to build a solar-powered power plant in Basra Governorate."
He continued, "The project extends over an area estimated at 9,000 acres in the Basra desert, and includes about two million solar panels distributed over four generating units," noting that "the station will produce 1,000 megawatts of clean electricity, at a rate of 250 megawatts per unit." She explained that "the ministry is supervising the implementation of the project, which represents a strategic step towards reducing dependence on imported fuel and enhancing energy security in the country."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Iraqi News
14 hours ago
- Iraqi News
France's Sanofi helps Iraq develop pharmaceutical industry
Baghdad ( – The Iraqi Ministry of Health mentioned on Sunday that the agreement with Sanofi, a French pharmaceutical and healthcare company, represents an essential step toward strengthening Iraq's pharmaceutical industry. During his participation in a scientific workshop on biosimilar medicines and intellectual property, Deputy Health Minister Hani al-Oqabi explained that the agreement reached with Sanofi is not limited to the pharmaceutical industry but includes other important areas, according to the state-run news agency (INA). Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has lately been focusing on developing collaboration with international enterprises and seeking investments to build industries in Iraq, according to al-Oqabi. The prime minister's advisor on industry and private sector development, Hammoudi al-Lami, revealed earlier that AstraZeneca, a British-Swedish multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology company based in Cambridge, is thinking of building a pharmaceutical facility in Iraq. In a statement to the Iraqi News Agency (INA), al-Lami explained that Arab and foreign companies are eager to set up businesses in the Iraqi market. The Iraqi official indicated that the US multinational healthcare company Baxter, as well as businesses in the Gulf States, had also expressed a desire to become part of the Iraqi market. The Iraqi Ministry of Health revealed in late April that it signed an agreement with European companies to establish an insulin production plant in the northern Iraqi province of Nineveh. According to INA, the agreement was signed with a Polish firm, one of the top four producers of insulin worldwide, and a German corporation. The idea to produce insulin in Iraq that meets all European requirements was sparked by the Iraqi government's support for pharmaceutical and health industry initiatives. The steps align with the objectives outlined in the Iraqi government's agenda, which emphasizes the development of the country's health sector.
Iraq Business
a day ago
- Iraq Business
Construction Starts at 1,000 MW Solar Power Project in Basra
By John Lee. The Iraqi Prime Minister has laid the foundation stone for the Shams Al-Basra solar power station, a landmark renewable energy project in Basra with a total generation capacity of 1,000 megawatts. Speaking at the inauguration, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani highlighted the strategic importance of the project in supporting Iraq's power generation capacity and advancing the country's clean energy goals. He pledged full government support to ensure its timely completion. The solar project forms part of a broader agreement between Iraq's Ministry of Oil and French energy giant TotalEnergies. It will be built over 9,000 dunams [900 hectares; 2,224 acres] of land and comprise 2 million solar panels divided into four units, each generating 250 MW. The facility will also include: A 132 kV transmission network spanning 180 km; A newly built 132 kV substation; Upgrades to two existing ministry-owned secondary substations. The first 250 MW unit is scheduled to come online by the end of this year. Under the contract, TotalEnergies will operate and maintain the plant for 25 years. The project is expected to deliver environmental benefits by reducing air pollution, lowering reliance on fossil fuels, and cutting carbon emissions. It will supply power to three secondary substations across the region. (Source: PMO)
Iraqi News
3 days ago
- Iraqi News
Volkswagen takes 1.3-bn-euro hit from Trump tariffs
Frankfurt – German auto giant Volkswagen said Friday that tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump had cost it 1.3 billion euros in the first half of the year as it reported falling profit. Overall net profit fell 38.5 percent year-on-year during the period to hit 7.28 billion euros ($8.54 billion). Higher-sales of lower-margin electric vehicles (EVs) as well as restructuring costs hit the result in addition to the tariffs, Volkswagen said. Finance chief Arno Antlitz said Volkswagen was nevertheless 'on the right track' and that performance was at the 'upper end of expectations', if tariffs and restructuring costs are excluded. The firm struck an unprecedented deal with unions last December to cut 35,000 jobs in Germany by 2030 as part of plans to save 15 billion euros a year. The 10-brand group also cut its revenue and profit outlook, warning of 'political uncertainty and increased barriers to trade' for the remainder of the year. It now forecasts a profit margin for the year of between 4 and 5 percent, down from 5.5 to 6.5 percent previously, amounting to billions of euros for the firm. The range assumes that the United States will continue to levy tariffs of 10 percent on imported cars in the best case and stick to its current rate of 27.5 percent in the worst, Volkswagen said. Volkswagen's previous guidance, released in April shortly after new US tariffs took effect, did not take the increased duties into account. Sales by volume in North America fell 16 percent 'mainly due to tariffs' in the first half even as they rose slightly worldwide, Volkswagen said. Trump in April slapped an additional 25-percent levy on imported cars as part of an aggressive trade policy he says will help boost US manufacturing. That has hit European carmakers. French group Stellantis — whose brands include Jeep, Citroen and Fiat — said on Monday that North American vehicle sales by volume plunged 25 percent in the second quarter of the year. US and European Union diplomats are currently negotiating ahead of the latest deadline set by Trump, with Trump threatening a blanket duty of 30 percent after August 1 if no agreement is reached.
