Iraq’s Solar Future, huge Growth potential.

The Iraqi Minister of Electricity, Ziyad Ali Fadhil, held talks this week with representatives of the Saudi Arabian investment authority regarding a proposed solar plant in Najaf—an area we see as having immense growth potential in the nation.

Iraq is setting its sights on a transformative goal: generating 12,000 megawatts of solar power by 2030. This ambitious target reflects not only the country's vast solar potential but also its need to address challenges posed by climate change, energy insecurity, and pollution.

To put Iraq's solar ambitions into perspective, 12,000 MW is roughly equivalent to the output of 12 to 24 conventional fossil fuel or nuclear power plants, which, if operational, could produce enough electricity to power millions of homes.

In a country where electricity shortages are common, this initiative has the potential to revolutionize daily life by providing reliable and sustainable energy while significantly reducing pollution.

Globally, Iraq’s solar initiative would place it among the leaders in renewable energy. By comparison, Germany is nearing a 100,000 MW capacity.

While Iraq’s plans are more modest, they are significant for a nation historically reliant on oil and gas.

Iraq’s geography offers a significant natural advantage compared to Europe. With more than 300 sunny days each year and high solar insolation levels, regions like Basra and Anbar are ideal for solar farms. The arid climate and vast stretches of desert land provide the perfect backdrop for large-scale photovoltaic (PV) and concentrated solar power (CSP) projects. However, corruption and bureaucracy continue to hold back development.

International players like China, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE are already stepping in, but progress is slow. At every stage of a project, cash must change hands to move forward, everyone wants their cut.

This process needs to accelerate. Iraq’s solar ambitions are existential. Few countries are as acutely affected by climate change as Iraq. The nation is warming at nearly twice the global average, with more frequent heatwaves and prolonged droughts exacerbating water scarcity and desertification. Rising temperatures have also driven up electricity demand, straining an already fragile grid, and Iraq often ranks among the worst in the world for air quality.

Developing large-scale solar infrastructure requires not only investment but also robust governance, long-term planning, and public-private partnerships.

Above all, it demands a strong government commitment to push through projects without the continual fraud.

For a country looking to the sun, Iraq remains in the dark when it comes to the speed of implementation. If Iraq seeks a brighter future, it needs to shine a light on corruption and get moving.