Iraq has inaugurated its first industrial-scale solar plant in Karbala province, southwest of Baghdad, marking a significant step toward diversifying its energy supply.
Safaa Hussein, executive director of the Karbala solar plant, said the project will support the national grid, cut fuel use during peak demand, and reduce emissions. At full capacity, the site will produce 300 megawatts.
According to Nasser Karim al-Sudani, head of the national solar team in the Prime Minister’s Office, more projects are underway:
• 225 MW in Babil province
• 1,000 MW planned in Basra
Deputy Minister of Electricity Adel Karim noted that solar projects totalling 12,500 MW are either in progress, approved, or under negotiation. If completed, they could supply 15–20% of Iraq’s electricity demand.
Despite being oil-rich, Iraq faces chronic power shortages. Current generation is 27,000–28,000 MW, far short of the 50,000–55,000 MW needed. Reliance on Iranian gas imports remains a vulnerability under shifting U.S. sanctions.
Source: AP News
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