MENA Weekly Roundup: Iraq Partners with Total, QatarEnergy for 1.25 GW Solar Project
Here are some noteworthy cleantech news and announcements from around the Middle East and North Africa region this week
April 21, 2025
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The Iraqi Ministry of Oil signed an agreement with TotalEnergies and QatarEnergy to develop a 1.25 GW solar project as part of the Gas Growth Integrated Project in the country’s Basra region. Both companies would equally own the project, and it will consist of two million bifacial solar panels mounted on single-axis trackers to be installed in five 250 MW phases to come online between 2025 and 2027. Once completely operational, the solar project is expected to generate up to 1.25 GW of energy. The project will supply clean energy to approximately 350,000 homes in southern Iraq.
The International Finance Corporation (IFC) signed an agreement with Oman-based United Solar Polysilicon to support its $1.6 billion greenfield polysilicon facility. It will be built in Oman’s Sohar Port and Freezone and have an annual production capacity of 100,000 tons. Future Fund Oman invested $156 million in the project. The project has reached the installation phase.
Algeria plans to develop renewable energy and green hydrogen projects to reduce its reliance on conventional energy sources and save fossil fuels for exports. The European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development will fund the plan, which costs roughly €28 million ($32 million). The plan aims to establish a national database to assess green hydrogen potential and implement monitoring tools to reduce emissions and enhance energy efficiency. Algeria aims to achieve 27% renewable energy in its energy mix by 2026 and install 15 GW by 2030.
Shanghai Electric, a power generation and electrical equipment manufacturing company, entered an agreement with Abu Dhabi-based Masdar for its Sadavi solar project. The project is part of Round 5 of Saudi Arabia’s National Renewable Energy Program. It is expected to deliver a total capacity of 2,000 MW. On completion, it will become Shanghai Electric’s biggest EPC project.