Iraq launches solar project for schools and health centers

BAGHDAD — Iraq’s National Team for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency said Monday it has started a pilot project to install solar systems in 307 schools and 24 health centers, part of a plan to transition government facilities to renewable power.

Nasir Karim Qasim, head of the national team, told the Iraqi News Agency that the first stage covers “60 schools in Baghdad and the governorates, most of them schools for outstanding and gifted students.” He said four health centers are already operational, with the remainder set to be completed within two weeks alongside the schools.

Qasim said the solar systems are tied to the national grid. “In the event of an outage they will operate with generators, and some schools will rely on independent batteries to reduce strain on the grid,” he explained.

The project is expected to ease demand on the network while also supplying homes. “Production will continue after official working hours to feed the housing sector, especially during peak times after 3 p.m. Energy produced during public holidays and the summer break will also support the residential sector with additional supply hours,” Qasim said.

He added that the government aims to expand the program across all public facilities. A recent survey “covered 18,900 schools across Iraq, in addition to no fewer than 2,000 health centers, hospitals, and universities, so that almost all government facilities will eventually run on solar power,” he said.