Iraq has launched its first operational solar power facility, a 300 MW plant in the Karbala governorate built by local companies. Covering nearly 10 million m², it uses 500,000 solar panels and is connected to the national power grid to help address electricity shortages worsened by reduced Iranian gas supplies. Electricity minister Ziad Fadhil confirmed the project’s operational status and its role in national energy production. This development is part of Iraq’s wider plan to expand renewable energy capacity. In addition to the Karbala plant, TotalEnergies is constructing a 1 GW solar facility, while ACWA Power and Masdar are expected to proceed with agreements for two further plants, each designed to generate 1 GW.