Iraq’s National Investment Commission announced plans to build the country’s first wind power project, with a planned capacity of 500 MW. The project is part of Iraq’s efforts to rehabilitate its electricity sector and address chronic supply shortages. While details on the project’s location and timeline remain undisclosed, Iraq has already awarded 7.5 GW of solar power projects to France’s TotalEnergies and other developers. As the second largest oil producer in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, Iraq aims to diversify its energy mix and reduce its reliance on fossil fuels.

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) issued an expression of interest for the seventh phase of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park to set up between 1,600 MW and 2,000 MW of solar and 1,000 MWh (six-hour storage) of battery energy storage. Developed under the independent power project model, the systems will be commissioned in phases starting in August 2027. DEWA will purchase the generated power through a long-term power purchase agreement. Bids must be submitted by March 21, 2025.

Jeddah-based HAALA Energy raised SAR28.5 million (~$7.5 million) in a Series A funding round led by the Fakeeh family office to accelerate its consumer and industrial (C&I) solar pipeline. The round includes SAR18.5 million (~$4.9 million) in equity and SAR10 million (~$2.6 million) in debt. Finergreen acted as HAALA Energy’s exclusive financial advisor throughout the process. The company aims to complete 30 MW of C&I projects in the next three years and is in talks to raise further capital to expand.

Syria’s Ministry of Electricity announced a 100 MW solar power project in the Damascus countryside. This project aims to address the country’s severe electricity shortages following years of conflict and economic instability. The project will be in Wadi al-Rabi and is part of a broader initiative to attract investors to finance, build, and operate renewable energy infrastructure. The facility will include a geographic information system conversion station and a link to the national grid via a 230 kV double overhead line. Interested investors will oversee the project under a 25-year usufruct agreement, with proposals open for the next 50 days.