Investing $68.6 million, Iraq is set to install solar panels on 546 government buildings, boosting energy independence and tackling power outages.
On Monday, the Iraqi Ministry of Electricity announced plans to install solar panels on government building roofs to generate electricity, with an investment of around 90 billion Iraqi dinars (around $68.6 million). With this solar installation plan, Iraq is advancing solar energy initiatives with three projects totalling 1.7 GW.
Spokesperson Ahmed Musa shared that the ministry is discussing this initiative with local and international companies. A total of 546 government buildings have been selected for this initiative. The government has also secured contracts for three solar projects in Karbala, Muthanna, and Basra, with plans for completion within two to three years.
Musa emphasised that the ministry aims to diversify energy sources and reduce dependence on gas and fossil fuels for power production. This initiative is part of broader efforts to increase the country’s electricity generation capacity.
Furthermore, Iraq’s Electricity Minister Ziad Ali Fadhil announced that a digital platform will be introduced to qualify solar installation companies. Citizens can purchase systems from licensed vendors via cash or interest-free loans from the Central Bank of Iraq.
Fadhil commended the National Initiative to Support Energy and Reduce Emissions for its ongoing efforts to enhance clean energy policies in Iraq.
In addition to solar projects, Iraq is exploring waste-to-energy solutions and collaborating with firms like Masdar in the UAE and ACWA Power in Saudi Arabia. Currently, Iraq produces just over 27,000 megawatts of electricity but requires 48,000 megawatts to meet domestic demand.
The country has long relied on gas imports from Iran but is now investing in projects to utilise flared gas and renewable energy. Power outages often last up to 10 hours daily, worsening during the extreme summer heat, which can exceed 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit).
