Masdar To Begin Soon On 1 GW Solar Power Project In Iraq

The renewable energy party has finally arrived in Iraq, one of the last major oil exporters to adopt solar in a big way. In an effort to decarbonize the economic system of the country and mitigate the climate change risks, the country has finally been bidding out contracts for solar plants. In a fresh development, the UAE based Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company or Masdar has started the development of solar power projects with a combined capacity of 1 GW in Iraq.

The Ministry of Electricity of Iraq informed that Masdar will be developing these solar projects in the four governorates of Iraq. The ministry held that to enhance the renewable energy development, an agreement for large scale solar projects was signed last week which permits Masdar to begin the construction.

The solar power projects development is aimed at diversifying the power generation in the different governorates. The government was also able to reduce the tariff following negotiations, added the Ministry.

Masdar To Begin Soon On 1 GW Solar Power Project In Iraq

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Ministry’s spokesperson Ahmed Moussa said that Masdar will be building two separate solar parks in Maysan and Nineveh as part of the deal, both of 100 MW each.  There will be a 450-MW solar farm based in Dhi Qar. Also a fourth plant with a capacity of 350 MW will be developed in Al-Anbar region.

The land where the construction is to take place has been demarcated by Masdar and local authorities. The company has also launched topographical studies that will help in assessing the environmental impact of the solar power project.

The larger game plan

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In October, 2021, Iraq planned that the country will have 33 per cent of its energy requirement coming from renewable energy sources. The Arabian country also wants to have 2.24 GW of power coming from solar sources. The present 1GW solar power project bagged by Masdar is a part of three solar power projects that the Iraq government agreed to last year with RE developers. All three will have a combined capacity of 2.75 MW.

The other two projects will be developed by Total Energies (1 GWp solar complex) and Power Construction Corp of China or Power China (750 MW). All three projects will be operational in 2025.