Iraq’s First Solar Power Plant
Baghdad
Iraq is set to inaugurate its first industrial-scale solar power plant in Karbala on Sunday (today), as the government seeks solutions to nationwide electricity shortages causing frequent blackouts. The facility, the largest in the country, is expected to generate up to 300 megawatts at peak capacity, according to Iraqi media cited by Al Jazeera.
Spanning 4,000 dunams (1,000 acres) in the al-Hur desert, the site features tens of thousands of solar panels installed in organized rows. Nasser Karim al-Sudani, head of Iraq’s national solar energy team, said another plant in Babil province will add 225 megawatts, and a 1,000-megawatt project is planned for Basra.
Deputy Minister of Electricity Adel Karim stated that Iraq has solar projects totaling 12,500 megawatts at various stages of implementation, which could supply up to 20 percent of national electricity demand, excluding the Kurdistan region.
Despite being rich in oil and gas, Iraq has long struggled with electricity shortages due to war, corruption, and mismanagement. Peak power demand reached nearly 55,000 megawatts this summer, while domestic production stands at about 28,000 megawatts, including 8,000 megawatts imported from Iran. These imports have faced recurring disruptions, especially after the US ended a sanctions waiver allowing direct electricity purchases from Tehran.
The new solar projects are part of Iraq’s broader vision to diversify energy sources, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and mitigate environmental impact from gas emissions. Officials hope the plants will help stabilize power supply while advancing the country’s renewable energy goals.
