Iraq has launched the construction of its largest solar power plant, Basra Sun, with a total capacity of 1,000 megawatts (MW) in Basra province. This solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant is part of the Gas Growth Integrated Project (GGIP), developed by a consortium comprising TotalEnergies (45%), Basrah Oil Company (30%), and QatarEnergy (25%).
According to the Iraqi News Agency (INA), civil works have begun on the plant, which spans 9,000 dunams (approximately 22,500 acres) in the Basra desert. The project will consist of four units, each with a capacity of 250 MW.
The Ministry of Electricity emphasized that the solar power plant is a strategic move to diversify energy sources and enhance Iraq’s energy security. While the exact cost of the project has not been disclosed, previous media reports estimate the total cost of the GGIP at $27 billion. The GGIP also includes three other components: the Associated Gas Upstream Development (AGUP), the Ar-Ratawi Gas Midstream Project (GMP), and the Common Seawater Supply Project (CSSP).
In October 2024, QatarEnergy announced it would hold a 50% stake in the solar PV project, with TotalEnergies retaining the remaining 50%. The project will feature 2 million high-efficiency bifacial solar panels mounted on single-axis trackers and, upon completion, will generate up to 1.25 gigawatts-peak (GWp). The plant is expected to be commissioned in phases between 2025 and 2027.
(Source: Zawya)
