Iraq has initiated several solar and renewable energy projects in 2023 and 2024, one of the upcoming solar projects which Iraq is moving to finalize is a contract with Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power to build a 1,000-megawatt (MW) solar power plant. The Iraqi News Agency reported that Iraq’s Electricity Minister, Ziad Fadil, met with ACWA Power’s management in Baghdad to discuss the project. During this meeting, the Minister emphasized the need to expedite construction.
This planned solar power plant with ACWA Power forms part of Iraq’s broader renewable energy program, which aims to increase electricity production capacity using renewable sources. In 2023, Iraq signed deals with various international companies to increase solar power generation. A few agreements include projects with TotalEnergies and PowerChina, both intended to add to Iraq’s solar capacity in the coming years. Iraq has also approved a 525 MW project to be constructed in Karbala and Iskandariya by the Al-Bilal Group, with an estimated investment of around $500 million.
In addition to these developments, UAE-based Masdar has proposed several solar projects for regions such as Maysan, Thi Qar, Anbar, and Kirkuk. These projects reflect Iraq’s ongoing strategy to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and address energy shortages by diversifying into renewable energy sources. Iraq has set a target of achieving 12 gigawatts (GW) of installed renewable energy capacity by 2030, primarily focusing on solar energy.
The Iraqi government is working with international companies and its Ministerial Energy Council to address obstacles, aiming to make renewable energy a stable component of Iraq’s post-war energy infrastructure.
