Iraq will fast-track solar projects, including the 1 GW Artawi plant by TotalEnergies, to strengthen its power grid
This is part of the government’s emergency plan, as it seeks to ensure electricity supply amid gas supply cuts from Iran in the midst of escalating tensions in the Middle East
The Ministry of Electricity has directed its administration to secure fuel suppliers and adopt flexible production plans
The Ministry of Electricity in Iraq has said the country will accelerate solar energy projects as part of an emergency plan to secure electricity supplies amid rising tensions in the Middle East. It explains that the move is aimed at reducing dependence on imported fuels and strengthening Iraq’s power system during potential supply disruptions.
Iraq’s Deputy Prime Minister for Energy Affairs, Minister of Oil and Acting Minister of Electricity, Hattan Abdul Ghani Al-Sawad, reviewed the country’s preparedness for the renewable energy transition. He directed his administration to speed up and ensure the timely implementation of renewable energy projects.
It has directed the Ports Company to allow the swift delivery of equipment for the Artawi Solar Power Project. Artawi is where TotalEnergies is building Iraq’s largest solar power project with 1 GW capacity. Of this, 61 MW was commissioned recently (see Middle East & Africa Solar PV News Snippets).
The minister also instructed his administration to secure fuel supplies and improve operational flexibility by approving both regular and emergency production plans. Recently, the ministry announced its gas supplies from Iran are continuing, but have declined significantly to 6 million cubic meters per day, affecting power generation.
The development follows major power outages across the country recently, caused by a sudden drop in gas supplies to the Rumaila gas-fired power plant in Basra province, according to a Reuters report.
Iraq is among the countries affected by escalating tensions in the Middle East, following Israel’s reported pre-emptive strike on Iran. Oil prices have risen above $100 per barrel as Iran blocks oil tankers from passing through the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting global oil supplies.
With current indications pointing to a deepening Middle East crisis, renewable energy is likely to regain prominence, similar to the increased demand for clean energy seen after Russia’s attack on Ukraine in 2022.
