PVTIME – A major milestone in Iraq’s transition to renewable energy has been reached with the commencement of construction on a 1GW solar power plant in the Basra region. The initiative is being delivered as part of the Gas Growth Integrated Project (GGIP) and is led by TotalEnergies, in collaboration with QatarEnergy and Iraq’s state-owned Basra Oil Company.
Picture: TotalEnergies
Called Basra Sun, the facility will be developed in four phases, each adding 0.25GW of generating capacity to Iraq’s national grid. Spanning approximately 22,500 acres of desert terrain, the plant will comprise over 2 million bifacial solar panels, each equipped with a single-axis tracking system. This technology allows the panels to adjust their orientation in line with the sun’s daily path, enabling them to capture more solar radiation than fixed photovoltaic systems and enhancing overall power output. Once fully operational, the plant is expected to provide clean, reliable energy to an estimated 350,000 households in southern Iraq.
The project addresses Iraq’s long-standing challenge of power scarcity, an issue exacerbated by the country’s heavy reliance on imported energy. Frequent power outages currently disrupt residential and commercial activities, particularly during periods of peak summer demand. By developing large-scale solar infrastructure, Iraq aims to diversify its energy mix, relieve pressure on its existing power network, and reduce its annual carbon dioxide emissions by almost 2 million tonnes, thus advancing its environmental commitments.
The first phase of the Basra Sun project is expected to be operational by late 2025, with the completion of all four phases anticipated by 2028. Iraqi government officials, including Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, have emphasised the importance of the project in the country’s strategy to increase the deployment of renewable energy. The government has set a target of installing 12GW of solar power by 2030 and has already identified more than 140 potential sites for future solar power developments across the country.
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