Iraq to introduce solar energy system to homes soon

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[size=52]Iraq to introduce solar energy system to homes soon[/size]

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September 6, 2024
Baghdad
Iraq is moving towards developing the solar energy sector after finding in it a window of hope to confront the electricity scarcity crisis, which is reflected in its frequent power outages for long hours that may exceed 10 hours per day in some areas.[/size]
[size=45]After efforts to cancel fees imposed on solar energy systems, a “special” meeting, on Thursday, headed by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, approved a plan to introduce solar energy systems into homes.[/size]
[size=45]It is noteworthy that the Central Bank of Iraq announced in 2022 the allocation of one trillion dinars (about $750 million) to secure subsidized loans for the private sector, including homes and private companies, to encourage residents to install solar energy systems. However, on November 2, 2023, it revealed that citizens were reluctant to take part in its initiative to provide loans for the use of clean energy, including the purchase of solar panels, due to their prices.[/size]
[size=45]A statement from Al-Sudani’s office, a copy of which was received by “Al-Alam Al-Jadeed”, stated that “the Prime Minister chaired a special meeting to improve the electricity situation, in which the plans, programs and treatments prepared by the Ministry of Electricity and the authorities concerned with this sector were discussed.[/size]
[size=45]During the meeting, according to the statement, “a plan was approved to introduce the solar energy system to homes, through contracting with solid companies to reduce the loads on the electrical grid system. The Ministry of Electricity’s plan for generation, transmission and distribution in the long term was also discussed, in addition to its plan for next summer, for which the necessary allocations were approved, and its implementation will begin now.”[/size]
[size=45]During the meeting, “the economic model for purchasing electricity was approved, which came after several meetings and the Prime Minister’s follow-up and guidance with the participation of KBR, which represents the government’s advisory body, in order to study it and provide recommendations regarding it.”[/size]
[size=45]On July 1, the Chairman of the National Investment Commission, Haider Mohammed Makiya, signed the investment license for the solar power plant project with the French company “Total Energy” with a capacity of 1,000 megawatts in Basra Governorate. Makiya said that the project is the first investment opportunity to grant a solar power plant within the government’s plan to diversify renewable energy sources.[/size]
[size=45]The generation of electrical energy from solar energy depends on the angle of incidence of the sun’s rays to ensure obtaining the highest energy point. Therefore, attention must be paid to this point by the positions and technicians working in it, and the rate of solar energy production throughout the seasons.[/size]
[size=45]The world's countries are moving towards clean energy after fears of scarcity and depletion of other energy sources. Therefore, it is a step that has proven successful in many countries while preserving the environment and its cleanliness, and thus the absence of problems in producing and supplying electricity to their citizens. In addition, the use of solar energy is not only at the domestic level, but also transferring the surplus to the national electricity grid. The grid is supplied by solar panels placed on the roofs of houses during the daytime, and then the houses are supplied with electricity during the night hours through the national electricity grid, which reduces the burden on the citizen with electricity consumption fees.[/size]
[size=45]Energy expert Govind Sherwani confirmed in a previous report for “Al-Alam Al-Jadeed” that “Iraq’s move towards solar energy projects is extremely important because clean energy is inexpensive and it is possible to benefit from the sun’s rays, which are widely available in Iraq for about 300 days out of the year.”[/size]
[size=45]“The cost of producing a megawatt of solar energy is a quarter or a third less than the cost of fossil fuels, and these projects may be expensive at first, because most of the materials, panels, batteries and connection systems are imported, but fortunately, the Ministry of Industry is now planning to complete solar panels in Iraq by merging Al-Zawraa and Al-Mansour companies, which were specialized in manufacturing solar equipment such as panels and cells,” he added.[/size]
[size=45]Iraq has been suffering from a deterioration in electricity production since the 1990s, and the crisis worsened after 2003 when American forces bombed production stations during the war to overthrow the former regime, which led to a collapse in production. Despite spending tens of billions of dollars over the past twenty years, the problem has not been radically resolved.[/size]
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