Iraq and Total sign two contracts: 1,000 megawatts of solar energy in Basra

INA - BAGHDAD

The Ministry of Electricity and the French company Total signed two contracts today, Monday, to produce 1000 megawatts of solar energy in Basra.

"Electricity Minister Ziyad Ali Fahad sponsored the signing of two important contracts between the Ministry of Electricity and Total Energies, the French company, to produce 1000 megawatts of solar energy in Basra province. This contributes to enhancing Iraq's electrical capacity and providing renewable energy sources," according to the ministry's statement, received by the Iraqi News Agency - INA.

The statement further explained, "According to the agreement, the French company will construct a solar power station in the Artawi field in Basra province in four phases over a period of two years. In each phase, the national system will be equipped with 250 megawatts of energy."

Following the signing of the contracts, the Electricity Minister highlighted the benefits of transitioning towards renewable energies in strengthening the country's electrical infrastructure and achieving energy self-sufficiency. He commended the efforts of the committees formed for this purpose in overcoming routine obstacles completing the requirements for land leases and obtaining approvals from ministries and government institutions.

It's worth noting that the federal government "signed a contract last year with Total under the auspices of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al-Sudani, which includes a package of oil, gas projects, and solar energy production for 25 years. Consequently, the Ministry of Electricity formed technical committees to follow up on the procedures with the relevant ministries and the foreign company, resulting in the signing of contracts between the two sides, including the two contracts signed today."

The first contract involved leasing land for the solar energy project between the General Company for Energy Production/Southern Region and Total Energies, while the second contract involved signing a connection contract with the electrical grid between the General Company for Energy Transmission/Southern Region and Total.