By the end of the year, Iraq will launch its first 250-megawatt solar power plant

 By the end of the year, Iraq will launch its first 250-megawatt solar power plant 

5/21/2025

Minister Hayan Abdul-Ghani stated on Wednesday that the first solar-powered electricity generation plant in Iraq will be inaugurated by the end of 2025, stressing the ministry's commitment to implementing projects to stop the burning of associated gas and the resulting thermal emissions.

This came in a speech he delivered during the first international conference on carbon economics in Iraq, which was attended by a Shafaq News Agency correspondent in the capital, Baghdad.

In his speech, the minister said, "Iraq has realized the magnitude of the global climate challenge and the rapid economic and technological changes that are imposing themselves on the energy landscape."

He added, "Carbon emission reduction can be transformed into a real opportunity to attract financing and investment, and develop technology through carbon market mechanisms and carbon bonds." He added, "We have already taken steps in this direction, including paving the way for associated gas movement projects, achieving routine flaring by 2029, and preparing projects for carbon emission opportunities, through openness to international markets and bilateral cooperation with international partners."

Abdul Ghani also indicated that "the first solar-powered electricity generation station, with a capacity of 250 megawatts, will be inaugurated by the end of this year."

He continued, "We view carbon as an economic opportunity that can be transformed from an environmental tax into a financial economy through carbon investment, which will contribute to financing strategic projects without burdening the state's general budget."

The Oil Minister considered that "this conference represents an important link in the chain of national efforts aimed at building a low-carbon economy, enhancing Iraq's readiness to lead the way in climate leadership mechanisms in line with our commitments to the Paris Climate Agreement, and setting our ambitions to diversify sources of income."

He explained, "Under this agreement, Iraq was committed to reducing emissions by 2% by 2023, but we, the Ministry of Oil, were able to achieve more than this percentage with the first project implemented in Basra Governorate through the implementation of the first phase."

Abdul Ghani continued, "There are projects signed by the Ministry of Oil with several companies aimed at stopping gas flaring. Through these projects being implemented, greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced by more than 23%. This is almost ten times what Iraq committed to at the Paris Conference."  LINK