In a milestone for Iraq’s energy sector, the country officially opened its first industrial-scale solar power plant on Sunday, September 21, 2025, in the arid expanse of Karbala province, southwest of Baghdad. The launch marks a pivotal step in Iraq’s ambitious campaign to expand renewable energy production and address the chronic electricity shortages that have plagued the nation for decades.
The new solar facility, described by Safaa Hussein, executive director of the plant, as “the first project of its type in Iraq that has this capacity,” is designed to supply the national grid with desperately needed electricity. Hussein explained that the plant’s dual mission is to alleviate pressure on Iraq’s overburdened power system—especially during the punishing summer months when demand soars—and to curb the environmental impact of gas emissions. “It aims to supply the national network with electricity, and reduce the fuel consumption especially during the daytime peak load, in addition to reducing the negative environmental impact of gas emissions,” Hussein told reporters, as quoted by Newsday.
Power outages are a fact of life in Iraq, particularly during the sweltering summers when temperatures regularly top 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit). According to Mid-day, the country currently produces between 27,000 and 28,000 megawatts of electricity. However, nationwide consumption fluctuates between 50,000 and 55,000 megawatts, leaving a staggering shortfall that forces many Iraqis to rely on noisy diesel generators or endure long, hot hours without air conditioning.
The Karbala solar plant, which will eventually be able to produce up to 300 megawatts of electricity at its peak, is only the beginning. Nasser Karim al-Sudani, head of the national team for solar energy projects in the Prime Minister’s Office, told Newsday that another project is already under construction in Babil province, with a projected capacity of 225 megawatts. Additionally, work is slated to begin soon on an even larger 1,000 megawatt solar installation in the southern province of Basra.
These projects form the backbone of a sweeping national plan to implement large-scale solar energy infrastructure across Iraq. Deputy Minister of Electricity Adel Karim revealed that the government has solar initiatives with a combined capacity of 12,500 megawatts either underway, in the approval pipeline, or under negotiation. If these ventures are fully realized, they could supply between 15 and 20 percent of Iraq’s total electricity demand—excluding the semi-autonomous northern Kurdish region, as noted by both Mid-day and Newsday.
“All the companies we have contracted with, or are still negotiating with, will sell us electricity at very attractive prices, and we will in turn sell it to consumers,” Karim stated. However, he declined to specify the purchase rates, leaving some observers curious about the long-term affordability and sustainability of the initiative.
Iraq’s electricity woes are not for lack of natural resources. The country is rich in oil and gas, yet years of war, corruption, and mismanagement have left its power grid in disrepair. The reliance on imported Iranian gas is another complicating factor. Power plants fueled by Iranian gas currently contribute about 8,000 megawatts to Iraq’s energy supply, according to Newsday. Iraq also imports electricity directly from Iran to help bridge the gap between supply and demand.
This arrangement, however, carries significant geopolitical risks. The United States, which maintains strict sanctions on Iran, recently ended a waiver that allowed Iraq to purchase electricity directly from its neighbor. The waiver for gas imports remains in place, but the situation remains precarious. Any disruption in the flow of Iranian fuel could spell disaster for Iraq’s already fragile energy system.
The urgency of finding alternative sources of power is not lost on Iraqi officials. The government’s push for renewables is as much about energy security as it is about environmental responsibility. The Karbala solar plant, situated in a vast desert landscape, is emblematic of this new direction. From above, the site resembles a sprawling black city set against a backdrop of sand—a stark contrast to the traditional oil infrastructure that has long dominated Iraq’s energy landscape.
Beyond the headline-grabbing numbers, the solar initiative is expected to have a tangible impact on daily life for millions of Iraqis. By reducing the need for fuel during the daytime peak load, the plant should help ease the rolling blackouts that have become an unwelcome routine, especially in the hottest months. There’s also the promise of a cleaner environment, as the shift from gas-fired power plants to solar energy will help curb the emission of greenhouse gases.
Yet, challenges remain. The country’s electricity grid is in need of modernization, and the integration of new renewable sources will require significant investment and technical expertise. Moreover, the political and economic instability that has hampered Iraq’s development for years could complicate efforts to bring these projects to fruition on schedule.
Still, the sense of optimism is palpable among officials and energy experts. The fact that Iraq is finally harnessing its abundant sunlight—a resource that has long been more of a curse than a blessing during the blistering summers—signals a shift in thinking about the nation’s energy future. As Deputy Minister Karim put it, Iraq is moving “toward a more diversified and sustainable energy mix,” one that could eventually reduce its dependence on foreign fuel and insulate it from the vagaries of international politics.
Looking ahead, the government’s renewable energy strategy is expected to attract further investment, both domestic and international. The prospect of selling electricity at competitive rates is likely to appeal to consumers weary of high generator costs and unreliable service. And while the journey to energy self-sufficiency will be long and fraught with obstacles, the opening of the Karbala solar plant represents a concrete step forward.
As Iraq’s first major solar facility comes online, the country stands at a crossroads. The success or failure of this and subsequent projects will shape not only the nation’s energy landscape but also its economic and environmental trajectory for years to come. For now, though, the sun is shining a little brighter on Karbala—and perhaps, by extension, on Iraq’s hopes for a more stable and sustainable future.
