Iraq targets 12 GW of solar by 2030

Iraq aims to deploy around 12 GW of solar capacity by the end of 2030, an adviser at the National Investment Commission said on Tuesday.

Significant steps are being taken towards generating electricity from solar energy as a 12-GW plan has already been approved by the Council of Ministers, with about 7.5 GW already allocated to companies, Rahim Al-Jaafari told the Iraqi News Agency (INA).

The Commission is in the process of completing the procedures for granting investment licenses and then starting work, Al-Jaafari added.

Iraq has pledged to adhere to the Paris Agreement, which entails fulfilling various obligations, including shifting from fossil fuels to renewable energy like solar and wind, along with waste incineration, Al-Jaafari noted.

Concerning waste-to-energy projects, Al-Jaafari mentioned that in the next few days, there will be a test to produce electricity from waste. This trial will involve around 3,000 tons of waste and will be conducted in the Nahrawan district, located east of Baghdad, as part of a project.

Regarding wind energy production, he noted that Iraq does not have abundant wind resources like some other countries, which can be harnessed in various locations. Nevertheless, there has been a study conducted to explore investment opportunities in wind energy.

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