ACWA Power & Masdar close to 2 GW solar agreements in Iraq

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.