Iraq, OPEC’s second-largest oil producer, is planning to develop at least 1,000 small-scale solar power projects over the next three years, as part of a push to diversify its energy mix. A senior government official said the move aims to make solar energy a key part of the country’s power supply by 2030.
“Solar energy will be an essential part of the national energy mix by 2030,” said Mazhar Mohammed Salih, an advisor to the Iraqi Prime Minister, in comments reported by IraqiNews.
Despite its high solar potential due to abundant sunshine, Iraq currently relies almost entirely on fossil fuels for electricity. The country has even sought U.S. waivers to keep importing gas and electricity from neighboring Iran, which is under sanctions.
As of 2023, solar power made up less than 1% of Iraq’s electricity generation. According to energy think tank Ember, only 1.2% of Iraq’s electricity came from clean sources last year. Most of that came from hydropower (0.9%), with wind and solar contributing just 0.3%, far below the global average of 13%.
Iraq has recently taken steps to change that. Earlier this month, Electricity Minister Ziyad Ali Fadel met with UAE-based renewable energy firm Masdar to speed up solar installations. The planned projects would provide up to 1,000 megawatts (MW) of solar capacity.
Masdar is rapidly expanding in the global renewables market. The company aims to develop 100 gigawatts (GW) of solar and wind energy capacity worldwide by 2030. CEO Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi has said Masdar is targeting a 35% share of the Middle East’s renewables market, 20% in Europe, and up to 25% in the U.S.
Masdar’s shareholders include Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), the sovereign wealth fund Mubadala, and the state-owned utility TAQA.
The partnership between Iraq and Masdar signals a growing commitment to cleaner energy, even in nations traditionally tied to oil production.
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