Iraq is ramping up its renewable energy ambitions, aiming to generate 12,000 megawatts from clean sources—primarily solar—by 2030, according to Deputy Oil Minister Ali Maarej. He confirmed that the Oil Ministry is actively expanding solar energy projects as part of this long-term strategy.
Maarej made the remarks during a conference organized by the Iraqi Oil Ministry in cooperation with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), which focused on the Iraq Energy Transition Assessment Report. The report, developed jointly by IRENA and Iraqi institutions, is intended to guide the country’s renewable energy priorities and enhance energy efficiency.
With Iraq facing a persistent electricity shortage, solar power has emerged as a central component of the government’s response. Oil Minister Hayan Abdul-Ghani and the Ministry of Electricity previously announced a joint roadmap to reach the 12,000-megawatt goal by 2030.
According to Abdul-Ghani, solar energy is a key solution to boosting Iraq’s power generation and is a top government priority. In the plan’s first phase, the Ministry of Electricity and the Ministry of Oil aim to produce more than 5,000 megawatts from solar, eventually scaling up to 12,000 megawatts of clean energy.
Once completed, the initiative is expected to meet domestic electricity demand and significantly alleviate the country’s power crisis.
Source: IraqiNews.com
