Iraq launches nationwide solar plan to ease chronic power shortages

Baghdad [Iraq], November 1: Iraq's Electricity Minister Ziyad Ali Fadel on Friday announced a national plan to roll out large-scale solar energy projects across all provinces, aiming to integrate renewable power into the grid and ease the country's chronic electricity shortages.
The plan includes several multi-megawatt projects, starting with the 1,000 MW "Shams al-Basra" plant, a 450 MW project in Dhi Qar led by Saudi Arabia's ACWA Power, and another 1,000 MW facility in Najaf, the state-run Iraqi News Agency quoted Fadel as saying.
Additional projects are underway in Babylon and Karbala, with new facilities planned in Nineveh (500 MW), Anbar (400 MW) and the town of Balad in Salahuddin province.
"These projects collectively cover all Iraqi provinces under the renewable energy plan," Fadel said, adding that provincial governors have been instructed to coordinate smaller solar stations of about 30 MW in local districts.
He said the ministry would purchase power from these projects, describing them as "environmentally friendly and key to reducing emissions."
Iraq has faced severe power shortages since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion, with reconstruction efforts hindered by political instabilities and security threats. The country currently produces about 27,000 MW but still faces a shortfall of roughly 20,000 MW, according to the Electricity Ministry.
Source: Xinhua