Latest news with #IraqEnergyConference
Shafaq News
04-02-2025
- Business
- Shafaq News
Iraq shortlists eight firms for solar energy projects
Shafaq News/ Iraq has prequalified eight companies for solar energy projects under the first phase of a Central Bank-backed initiative, Electricity Minister Ziyad Ali Fadel said on Tuesday, as the country steps up efforts to expand its renewable energy sector. 'The current government is making history as the first to translate solar energy projects into tangible reality,' Fadel said in a statement, praising the Central Bank of Iraq for supporting the initiative through interest-free loans to citizens. The initiative will enable homeowners to install solar power systems under the 'Renewable Energy' program, providing what Fadel described as a 'sustainable solution' to Iraq's chronic electricity shortages. Iraq has been pushing to diversify its energy sources, particularly as pollution from oil production rises and the country remains heavily dependent on Iranian gas imports for electricity. In October 2024, the Electricity Ministry launched an electronic platform to accredit specialized solar energy companies. The government aims to generate 20% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, with solar playing a key role. On Monday, the Basra Investment Commission signed an agreement with French energy company TotalEnergies to construct a 1,000-megawatt solar power station, marking one of Iraq's largest renewable energy projects. Additionally, two solar plants with a combined capacity of 500 megawatts are set to be established in Kirkuk Province as part of the broader push toward clean energy. Speaking at the Iraq Energy Conference in January, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani highlighted the country's growing focus on solar power. 'We have launched solar energy projects with a total capacity of 4,875 megawatts upon completion,' he said, noting the government's commitment to supporting home solar systems through the Central Bank's 1-trillion-dollar loan initiative.
Iraqi News
29-01-2025
- Business
- Iraqi News
There are achievements that Western countries owe to Iraq, says British ambassador
Baghdad - INA The British Ambassador to Iraq, Stephen Hagin, confirmed today, Wednesday, that Western countries owe Iraq for intellectual achievements throughout history, while indicating that the Gulf countries are ready to invest in Iraq. Hagin said, in a dialogue session during the Iraq Energy Conference, attended by the correspondent of the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "The Iraqi economy and income must be diversified, as Iraq's problems in the past negatively affected the region and now the region's problems have affected Iraq," noting that "the security environment in Iraq is improving and if we compare the security situation in previous years, there is noticeable progress in security." He added that "during the visit of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani to London, we signed several contracts worth 12 billion pounds, and there is a readiness from the Gulf countries to invest in Iraq, and this has led to an improvement in the situation, as we invested in soil and currently in oil and we hope to invest in youth in the future," indicating that "we have confidence in the creativity of the Iraqi people, and we are indebted as Western countries to Iraq for the intellectual achievements it has presented to history." "The Iraqi-British community is the link between Iraq and British companies and it is important, and we support the Prime Minister's ambition for Iraq's energy independence and there is joint work to implement the plan to end the flaring of associated gas," Hagen explained, adding that "there is a health impact on the citizen from flaring gas." He pointed out that "if negotiations to form the government are delayed after the elections, this affects the completion of the work, and it is very important for the political blocs after the elections to expedite the formation of the government."
Iraqi News
29-01-2025
- Business
- Iraqi News
German Ambassador: We have great cooperation with Iraq in many fields
Baghdad - INA The German Ambassador to Iraq, Christiane Hohmann, confirmed today, Wednesday, that a report was submitted to her country's government on Iraqi achievements, while indicating that there is great cooperation with Iraq in many fields. Hohmann said, in a dialogue session during the Iraq Energy Conference, attended by the correspondent of the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "One of the problems facing investors is electricity in Iraq," indicating that "the environment of Iraq is different from our country." She added that "the embassy's work is to prepare a report to our government," noting that "we submitted a report on the achievements in Iraq." She pointed out that "there are Iraqi businessmen investing in Germany, and not only Germany investing in Iraq," explaining that "Iraq has many German companies operating in the electrical sector, and there is a factory in Najaf Governorate for the production of glass and a pharmaceutical factory, and there is great cooperation with German companies." She stressed that "we want Iraq to succeed on the national and international levels, as Iraq is a young country with young energies and job opportunities must be provided for them," explaining that "everything is based on history and Iraq likes to focus on the past to build the future." She pointed out that "the presence of embassies here is to provide advice and investments, but the work will remain for the country."
Iraqi News
29-01-2025
- Politics
- Iraqi News
Minister of Environment: Iraq is moving towards investing in environmental projects
Baghdad - INA The Minister of Environment, Halo Al-Askari, confirmed today, Wednesday, that Iraq is moving towards investing in environmental projects, while pointing to working to reduce environmental pollutants. Al-Askari said, in a dialogue session during the Iraq Energy Conference, attended by the correspondent of the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "The government's decision to separate the Ministry of Health from the Environment is important and works in the right direction," indicating that "many developed countries play an important role in the field of climate." He added that "Iraq is a stable country and is moving towards investing in environmental projects," noting that "the ministry has a lot of energies that we are proud of, and the vision is there and we are in the process of changing the mentality, as the ministry is supervisory and not executive and is a window to expand the economy, including the green economy." He stressed that "the Council of Ministers decided to establish a factory to convert waste into energy, and this is an achievement," explaining that "one of the achievements presented by the ministry is the project to establish the Carbon Economics Company, which is the first in Iraq." He continued: "Under the directives of the Prime Minister, the Ministry worked to give reasons and diagnose the causes and worked with ministries to improve the environmental situation by installing filters in factories and preventing the burning of waste." He pointed out that "we are working to reduce environmental pollutants, and desertification is not a problem in Iraq but in the region and the world," explaining that "Iraq has a desertification committee and participated in international conferences on desertification and there were contributions from the Iraqi delegation that participated with the green initiative launched by Saudi Arabia." Al-Askari indicated that "climate change is a global problem and Iraq chairs the Group of 77 with China to prepare for the climate summit in Brazil."
Iraqi News
29-01-2025
- Business
- Iraqi News
Dutch Ambassador: I believe the Iraqi government is doing a good job, and we are seeking to expand our cooperation together
Baghdad - INA The Dutch Ambassador to Iraq, Hans Sandee, confirmed today, Wednesday, that the Iraqi government is working well, while indicating that his country is seeking to increase joint cooperation with Iraq. Sandee said, in a dialogue session during the Iraq Energy Conference, attended by the correspondent of the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "Iraq depends mainly on oil, and we seek to increase the level of joint cooperation with the Iraqi government and work seriously to transfer knowledge," noting that "Dutch companies face challenges, including electricity." He added, "The important thing is to develop the private sector and we are working to help Iraq by supporting emerging companies and providing some funding to reduce the government's dependence on oil," indicating that "there are many companies looking for investment opportunities, and the Iraqi government is doing a good job and we need more from it." He continued, "The Iraqi authorities are listening seriously and well and are in an effective and active position, but there are challenges that require more time," noting that "the government must focus on youth, education and developing the private sector because they are the real capital."
