Iraq’s Ministry of Electricity and the National Investment Commission (NIC) has invited bids for the construction of seven solar photovoltaic (PV) power projects with a total capacity of 755 MW to increase the production capacity and diversify the country’s energy sources. The entire capacity of 755 MW will be spread across seven solar PV parks in Iraq.

This is a global tender, and the projects will be developed on build own operate (BOO) basis. The bid submission deadline is June 30, 2019.

Out of the seven proposed projects, three will be developed in the Muthana province of Iraq. These are:

Sawa-1 solar PV project with a capacity of 30 MW

Sawa- 2 solar PV project with a capacity of 50 MW

Khidhir solar PV project with a capacity of 50 MW

The Ministry of Electricity has also proposed Lskandariya solar PV project with a capacity of 225 MW to be located in Babil Province, Jissan solar PV project with a capacity of 50 MW to be located in Wassit Province, Karbala solar PV project with a capacity of 300 MW to be located in Karbala Province, and Al Diwania solar PV project with a capacity 50 MW to be located in Diwania province.

The Ministry of Electricity will provide the grid connectivity to the solar project developer under a transmission connection contract and lease out the land to solar PV project developer under a land lease contract. The ministry will also be the procurer of power generated from these solar projects.

The scope of work includes the design, financing, erection, engineering, supply, construction, testing, and commissioning of solar projects.

The ministry also expects these projects to employ around 1,300 people in Iraq and supply more than 250,000 households with critically needed electricity supply.

Iraq is following in the footsteps of neighboring Saudi Arabia which has turned to solar to fulfill its increasing energy demands.

Recently, Saudi Arabia’s Renewable Energy Project Development Office (REPDO), invited expressions of interest for seven greenfield solar PV projects with a combined potential capacity of 1.5 GW.

Last year, Mercom reported that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia planned to tender over 3 GW of grid-connected solar projects and 800 MW of wind projects to meet its increasing energy demands.

The kingdom recently signed the framework agreement of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), joining hands with India towards a common goal of sustainability.