- Masdar and entered a strategic agreement with Iraq to develop a minimum of 2 GW solar PV capacity
- Projects will be located in Central and Southern Iraq and developed under IPP framework
- Iraq said the partnership with Masdar will support the country’s efforts to produce 10 GW of solar energy by 2025
The National Investment Commission of Iraq has signed a Heads of Agreement (HOA) with Abu Dhabi’s Masdar to develop a minimum of 2 GW solar PV capacity in Iraq, in a bid for the country to increase its clean energy portfolio.
Under the strategic agreement, Masdar will generate 2 GW of solar power through independent power producers (IPP) projects to be located in Central and Southern Iraq to be connected to the national grid. While the location of these projects is not identified or the timeline, in a statement Masdar said it will ensure clean and sustainable energy production for different areas in Iraq, while generating new jobs in the energy sector in the country.
Iraqi Minister of State for Foreign Trade, Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Zeyoudi stressed that the partnership with Masdar will also contribute to supporting the country’s efforts aimed at implementing quality projects to produce 10 GW of solar energy by 2025.
This agreement with Masdar is part of the 2nd largest oil producer in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Iraq to increase the share of renewables in its energy mix by 2030 to account for 20% to 25%, representing 10 GW to 12 GW capacity. In February 2021, Bloomberg said the country’s Oil Ministry is targeting for the country to develop 10 GW solar PV capacity by 2030 (see Iraq Targets 10 GW Solar Power Capacity By 2030).
“The project is one of the largest renewable photovoltaic solar projects in the Middle East, and falls within the vision of Iraq’s sustainable transition plan 2021- 2030. The project delivers 2 GW of green energy for Iraq national network,” said the President of the National Investment Commission of Iraq, Suha Al-Najar.
In February 2021, Bloomberg said Iraq’s oil ministry is in talks with international companies to build more renewable energy projects in the country. A month later the ministry went on to sign an initial agreement with France’s Total, now rechristened as TotalEnergies, to build 1 GW PV capacity (see Total To Build 1 GW Solar Capacity In Iraq).
Earlier this month, Masdar announced completion of what it termed as the largest solar-powered car park in Abu Dhabi at Abu Dhabi International Airport with 3 MW capacity.
