Solar mega-power! - Iraq’s ‘Basra Sun’ project goes operational with 1,000 MW capacity

"The 'Basra Sun' solar energy project has entered the operational phase in southern Iraq. Footage filmed on Wednesday shows the vast arrays of solar panels stretching across the desert landscape. Implemented by the Iraqi Ministry of Electricity in partnership with TotalEnergies, the project has a planned generation capacity of 1,000 megawatts - a huge amount of power. Haidar Issa, the project manager at the Iraqi Ministry of Electricity, said the facility's total capacity is divided into four units, each designed to generate 250 megawatts. He explained that the first unit, with a production capacity of between 200 and 250 megawatts, was connected to the national grid on March 1, while work continues to bring the remaining units online. The project includes approximately two million solar panels, with around 500,000 panels allocated to each unit. The site covers an area of about 8,000 dunams, equivalent to roughly 22 million square metres. “Clean energy is one of the key pillars of the ministry’s strategy,” Issa said. “Through diversifying energy sources and expanding renewable energy projects, this facility has added a new source of solar-generated electricity to the national grid and is considered one of the largest projects of its kind in the region.” He added that the project will help diversify Iraq’s energy mix, reduce pollution, and support environmental sustainability. According to Issa, the project reflects the ministry’s commitment to expanding clean energy, particularly in Basra Governorate, amid concerns over pollution. The Iraqi government announced the launch of the Basra Sun project in June 2025. According to the Ministry of Electricity, trial operations of the first generating unit began on March 3, 2026, under the supervision of the Southern Power Generation Company. The ministry said the project is being implemented in cooperation with TotalEnergies as part of Iraq’s broader strategy to diversify energy sources, increase reliance on renewables, strengthen grid stability, and reduce carbon emissions. "

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