QatarEnergy, TotalEnergies partner to launch large-scale solar project to deliver 1.25 gigawatts in Basra

NEWSROOM — QatarEnergy announced Monday a partnership with France’s TotalEnergies to initiate one of the world’s largest solar power projects as part of Iraq’s Integrated Gas Growth Project. The venture, set to be located in Basra, will feature two million high-efficiency, bifacial solar panels, projected to deliver 1.25 gigawatts of solar-generated electricity, meeting the power needs of approximately 350,000 homes upon completion.

QatarEnergy will hold a 50% stake in the project, with TotalEnergies holding the remaining 50%. The development will occur in phases, spanning from 2025 to 2027, and will include single-axis trackers on the solar panels to optimize efficiency. Trackers allow panels to tilt from east to west.

Commenting on the partnership, Qatar’s Minister of State for Energy Affairs and QatarEnergy CEO Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi expressed optimism. “We are pleased to enter into this agreement for a project that holds great significance for Iraq’s energy sector,” he said, thanking the Iraqi government for their support. “We look forward to collaborating with TotalEnergies to ensure the success of this project.”

In an official statement, QatarEnergy noted that the agreement awaits regulatory approval, emphasizing the project’s potential to strengthen Iraq’s power grid. “Under the terms of the agreement, QatarEnergy will acquire a 50% stake in the photovoltaic solar project, while TotalEnergies will retain the remaining 50%,” the statement read. The project is expected to peak at 1.25 gigawatts of power output.

This solar initiative builds on QatarEnergy’s existing role in Iraq’s IGGP, where it joined a consortium in June 2023, holding a 25% stake alongside TotalEnergies at 45% and Iraq’s Basra Oil Company at 30%. The IGGP is an expansive project to capture flared gas from Basra’s oil fields, reducing waste and emissions by converting natural gas into fuel for power plants. This effort is aimed at bolstering Iraq’s energy independence, decreasing greenhouse gas emissions, and supporting the nation’s economic growth.