Iraq Solar Ambitions Take Flight with 300 MW Karbala Plant

On Sunday, September 21, 2025, Iraq marked a major milestone in its energy landscape by opening its first industrial-scale 300 MW solar power project in the Karbala province, southwest of Baghdad. 

Spanning approximately 4,000 dunams (1,000 acres) in the al-Hur desert, the plant is Iraq’s largest solar facility to date. Designed to ease chronic electricity shortages, it symbolises the country’s shift toward renewable energy despite its heavy reliance on oil and gas.

A New Era for Iraq’s Energy Mix

The Karbala solar plant, featuring tens of thousands of black panels arranged methodically, is expected to reach a peak capacity of 300 MW. While this output represents only a fraction of Iraq’s overall energy demand, it is a crucial step in diversifying the national grid and reducing fuel consumption, especially during daytime peaks. 

Safaa Hussein, executive director of the facility, described the project as a “game-changer” that aims to cut fuel usage and mitigate environmental damage caused by gas emissions.

Expanding Solar Ambitions

The Karbala facility is just the beginning of Iraq’s solar energy expansion plans. Additional projects are already underway, including a 225-megawatt plant in Babil province and a massive 1,000-megawatt installation planned for Basra. These initiatives form part of a broader government vision to ease grid pressure and lower harmful emissions.

Deputy Minister of Electricity Adel Karim highlighted that Iraq has solar projects totalling 12,500 megawatts in various stages of development, which could meet 15 to 20 percent of the country's electricity needs if realised. 

Iraq’s electricity sector faces critical challenges. Despite soaring demand that peaks near 55,000 megawatts during scorching summers, the country’s production remains around 27,000 to 28,000 MW, resulting in frequent blackouts and reliance on costly diesel generators. Historically, Iraq has supplemented its supply by importing power and natural gas from Iran. However, geopolitical tensions and US sanctions have disrupted these imports, exacerbating shortages.