Iraq’s two months in the sun
Baghdad has recently pulled off a string of deals promising a manyfold expansion in solar capacity
Iraq had barely 200MW of installed renewables capacity as summer power cuts returned in July, comprising primarily rooftop solar deployed by businesses exasperated by state electricity supplies. The target to have 7.5GW onstream in two years’ time appeared destined to become just another of the authorities’ extravagant energy sector goals, abandoned or repeatedly pushed back when faced with the reality of the country’s complex politics and bureaucracy. But four months on, firm commitments are in place to raise capacity more than 12-fold, with preliminary agreements to double that again. Iraq’s solar potential is vast, with certain areas basking in some of the world’s highest irradiation. The
Also in this section
16 April 2024
US and European oil majors snap up smaller players and look to accelerate development in a region deemed to possess all the key elements for successful CCUS deployment
15 April 2024
Demand for credits seen rising 20% this year despite issues around integrity and standardisation
11 April 2024
Volatile allowance prices and small size of voluntary market undermine ability to drive investment, says Oxford Institute for Energy Studies
8 April 2024
Chevron New Energies is lead investor in funding round by Colorado-based provider of post-combustion capture technology