Iraq has vast solar power potential
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
2 January 2026
This year may be a defining one for carbon capture, utilisation and storage in the US, despite the institutional uncertainty
23 December 2025
Legislative reform in Germany sets the stage for commercial carbon capture and transport at a national level, while the UK has already seen financial close on major CCS clusters
15 December 2025
Net zero is not the problem for the UK’s power system. The real issue is with an outdated market design in desperate need of modernisation
28 November 2025
The launch of the bloc’s emissions trading system in 2005 was a pioneering step, but as the scheme hits 21 its impact as a driver of decarbonisation is still open to debate
