Iraq is currently confronted by a Herculean energy challenge, with electricity demand reaching a staggering 55,000 megawatts (MW) in peak times just this spring. Iraqi government has learned from the crisis and is addressing the issue by pursuing different solar energy projects. Among their top initiatives is a soon-to-be 300MW solar plant in Karbala province. The Deputy Minister of Electricity, Adel Karim, announced that the country’s solar initiatives have a combined capacity of 12,500MW, indicating a strategic shift towards renewable energy sources.
Today, Iraq is only able to provide an average of 28,000MW of electricity, with Iraq dependent on natural gas imports from Iran for 8,000MW. However, recent geopolitical crises, including the war in Ukraine, have made these imports more contentious. In March, the U.S. ended the last remaining sanctions waiver, which had allowed Iraq to purchase electricity directly from Iran. While Iraq’s neighbor to the west, Iran, is currently dealing with deepening energy shortages of its own, Iraq will pursue solar as a long-term, sustainable energy solution.
Solar Projects in the Pipeline
The new solar plant in Karbala will span approximately 400 hectares. It will be near the al-Hur desert zone, southwest of Baghdad. This project continues a national effort by the industry to build large-scale solar power plants across the country. Iraq will soon break ground on a 1,000MW solar scheme in its southern province of Basra. Since the Karbala facility is still in development, this project will be implemented concurrently.
Further to this, a separate project for a 225MW solar farm in Babil province is in progress. Each of these projects will help address the ongoing electricity crisis that has resulted in daily blackouts for citizens all over Iraq. By investing in these renewable energy solutions, Iraqi officials hope to reduce dependence on traditional energy sources and alleviate environmental impacts associated with fossil fuels.
Sustainability and Future Goals
These solar energy projects are intended to provide up to 20% of Iraq’s overall electricity needs. This projection excludes the Kurdistan region. This ambitious goal is a strong signal of the Iraqi government’s intent to begin a transition toward renewable energy and increased energy security. As the country continues to confront its electricity challenges, officials believe that large-scale solar initiatives will play a crucial role in stabilizing the grid and meeting the needs of its citizens.