Iraq, UAE advance plans for 1,000-megawatt solar project

BAGHDAD — Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani met Thursday in Abu Dhabi with UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology Sultan Al Jaber to discuss cooperation in energy and petrochemicals, according to a statement from Al-Sudani’s media office.

The talks focused on advancing joint projects, including steps for the UAE’s Masdar company to launch a 1,000-megawatt solar power project in Iraq.

Al-Sudani also met with United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Wednesday to discuss bilateral relations and regional cooperation.

Iraq’s Minister of Electricity Ziyad Ali Fadel announced yesterday that the initial operation of new air-cooling systems at the Najibiya gas power plant in Basra, saying the project will add around 100 megawatts to generation capacity. The minister explained that the cooling systems were implemented in cooperation with the UAE-based TAS Energy company.

Iraq continues to face electricity shortages, particularly in the summer when temperatures often exceed 122 degrees Fahrenheit (50 degrees celsius). While the government has repeatedly promised to resolve the power crisis, demand consistently outpaces supply.

Statement from Al-Sudani’s media office:

Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani met today, Thursday, in Abu Dhabi with the UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Mr. Sultan Al Jaber, in the presence of the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff.

The meeting discussed avenues of cooperation with the United Arab Emirates in the sectors of energy and petrochemicals, with the aim of achieving sustainable growth and shared interests between the two countries. Talks also addressed the necessary steps for the UAE’s Masdar company to commence the project of generating 1,000 megawatts of solar energy in Iraq.

The Prime Minister affirmed Iraq’s commitment to strengthening serious cooperation with regional and international partners to develop the energy sector, establish effective partnerships for the development of environmentally friendly petrochemical industries, and reinforce Iraq’s position in this field.