Iraq’s Ministry of Electricity said it was close to making deals with ACWA Power and Masdar for solar projects. It was talking with ACWA Power to build a 1 GW solar plant in Najaf. Masdar was planning to build four solar plants together making up 1 GW. In March, Iraq began construction of the 1 GW Basra Sun project. The initiatives aimed to diversify energy sources and reduce reliance on Iranian gas, following a 4 GW power deficit caused by reduced imports. Iraq completed 93 percent of its interconnection project with GCCIA, with links to Jordan and Turkey already supplying power. In May, Wasit province issued a tender for 3 GW of renewables. In April, Iraq signed a deal with UGT Renewables for a 3 GW solar project with 500 MWh of BESS.Recently, ACWA Power has secured over 1 GW of solar and wind projects across multiple provinces in China.