Will Iraq reach 10GW of solar by 2030?

Iraq is aiming to reach 10GW of installed solar by 2030. Image: IRENA. French energy company TotalEnergies has revived its deal with the Iraqi Government to develop a 1GW solar PV project in the Basra region, part of a larger US$10 billion accord to also establish new gas generation and seawater treatment facilities.

Will Iraq build a solar power plant?

The region aims to build three commercial solar power plants with a total capacity of 75 megawatts (MW), he added. But that would only represent a small boost to the 24,000 MW that Iraqi power plants produce. To end power outages, the country would need to produce at least 32,000 MW.

Does Iraq need solar power?

Although it receives a third of its energy needs from neighboring Iran, there are still daily power cuts, which worsen in the hot summer months when temperatures approach 50 degrees Celsius (120 Fahrenheit). In the mountains of Iraqi Kurdistan, solar panels adorn most homes, part of a small but growing effort to harness the sun’s energy in Iraq.

Do solar panels adorn homes in Iraq?

In the mountains of Iraqi Kurdistan, solar panels adorn most homes, part of a small but growing effort to harness the sun’s energy in Iraq. (AFP) The tranquil silence of Hazar Merd is striking in a country where the roar of large neighborhood generators used to provide back-up power is ever-present.

Will Iraq be able to harness green energy by 2030?

A recent World Bank report highlighted that more than 98 percent of Iraq’s electricity is still generated from fossil fuels. Authorities say they aim to harness green energy to meet a third of the country’s needs by 2030. But despite several major projects being announced with great fanfare, that has yet to materialize.

Why is the Iraqi PV project important?

" This project is the first large-scale project in the Iraqi government's PV construction plan, and serves as a significant milestone in CEEC's commitment to international capacity cooperation and its collaboration with multinational companies to tap into overseas renewable energy markets and drive global energy transformation.