
Ministry of Electricity: Launching the largest solar energy project in Iraq
Baghdad - INA
The Ministry of Electricity announced today, Thursday, the launch of "Shams Basra", the largest solar energy project in Iraq. The ministry said in a statement - received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "Today, in cooperation with Total Energy, the "Shams Basra" project was launched, which is the largest solar energy project in Iraq."
He added that "the launch of the project comes within the framework of the efforts of the Minister of Electricity, Ziad Ali Fadhil, to diversify energy sources," noting that "the French company Total Energy has begun civil works to build a solar-powered power plant in Basra Governorate."
He continued, "The project extends over an area estimated at 9,000 acres in the Basra desert, and includes about two million solar panels distributed over four generating units," noting that "the station will produce 1,000 megawatts of clean electricity, at a rate of 250 megawatts per unit." She explained that "the ministry is supervising the implementation of the project, which represents a strategic step towards reducing dependence on imported fuel and enhancing energy security in the country."

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Iraq Business
an hour ago
- Iraq Business
Japan Reaffirms $21bn Commitment to Iraq, Signs Coop Agreement
By John Lee. Japan's Ambassador to Iraq, Akira Endo, has reportedly reaffirmed his country's support for Iraq, announcing over $21 billion in economic cooperation projects since 2003. Speaking at the signing ceremony of a new agreement between the Iraq Development Fund and the Japan Cooperation Center for the Middle East (JCCME), he emphasized Japan's ongoing commitment to improving Iraq's investment climate and attracting foreign companies. According to the state-run Iraqi News Agency (INA), the ambassador noted that Japan has been the top donor to Iraq in recent years, primarily via yen loans supporting infrastructure in electricity, water, sanitation, and oil. He highlighted the role of JCCME over the past decade in bridging Japanese companies with opportunities in Iraq through business seminars, sector-focused delegations, and training for Iraqi officials in Japan. He added that the six priority sectors identified by the Iraq Development Fund-education, agriculture, housing, digital transformation, manufacturing and food security, and environment-are aligned with Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al-Sudani's government priorities and match areas of Japanese expertise. (Source: INA)


Iraqi News
6 hours ago
- Iraqi News
Iraq to set up AI data center to support Arab countries
Baghdad ( – Iraq is working to establish an artificial intelligence center in Baghdad as part of a project serving Arab countries. The Prime Minister's Advisor for Artificial Intelligence Affairs, Diaa Al-Jumaili, revealed on Tuesday that the technical and organizational steps have already started and that a meeting with the Iraqi Prime Minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, will be held soon to finalize all of the discussions, as Iraq will be required to lay the groundwork for the center, according to the Iraqi News Agency (INA). The step follows the approval of the Iraqi Prime Minister and Arab leaders during the Arab Summit held recently in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, according to Al-Jumaili. The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) previously said that Iraq's digital transformation is critical to the country's digital business and artificial intelligence strategy. During his meeting last November with Deemah AlYahya, Secretary-General of the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO), Al-Sudani stressed that the government has included digital transformation into its economic and administrative reforms, as well as electronic payments. Al-Sudani emphasized the government's potential to make a big change in this area, as well as its willingness to collaborate with the DCO on initiatives that benefit Iraq and the region in the context of digital transformation and artificial intelligence. In March, Ali Al-Alaq, governor of the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI), disclosed that the government is working on a comprehensive digital transformation strategy. In a statement to INA, Al-Alaq highlighted that the government is following a plan aimed at transitioning to digital governance. He stated that Iraqi ministries would take a leading role since steps have already been taken, initiatives have been implemented, and a data center has been constructed.


Iraqi News
10 hours ago
- Iraqi News
Romania wants to invest in the agricultural sector in Iraq
The head of the Kirkuk Provincial Council, Muhammed Ibrahim Al-Hafiz, confirmed on Tuesday that Romania has expressed the desire of its companies to invest in the agricultural sector in the governorate, indicating the importance of strengthening academic cooperation between the universities of the two countries. "The Ambassador of Romania in Iraq, Radu Octavian Dobre, visited Kirkuk for the first time, and discussed ways to enhance cooperation in the areas of the economy, the agricultural sector, and investment," Al-Hafiz told the Iraqi News Agency - INA. He noted that "this visit came to open the horizons of cooperation in various sectors that would serve citizens in the province and consolidate bilateral relations in a manner consistent with the directives of the federal government in supporting the Iraqi economy with several Areas, including investment. " The Romanian ambassador expressed "the desire of the Romanian companies to develop the agricultural sector in Kirkuk, as it is one of the important agricultural areas in Iraq," noting that "Romania has achieved a major development in the agricultural field and it is possible to benefit from Roman experiences and support the Iraqi agricultural sector." "The participation of Roman companies in the field of investment is important in a manner that suits the nature of the province in several important economic areas," he added, noting that "we discussed enhancing economic and trade cooperation between Iraq and Romania, and the importance of developing bilateral relations to serve the province of Kirkuk, as well as enhancing academic cooperation between Iraqi and Roman universities and benefiting in developing youth scientific energies." He stated that "the ambassador praised the urban development in the province and the work achieved in recent years."