[SMM PV News] Trial Operations Begin at Iraq's 1 GW Basra Solar Plant

Published: Mar 5, 2026 17:36

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Trial operations have commenced at the 1 GW Basra solar power plant, Iraq's first gigawatt-scale PV project. Currently, 61 MW of the first 250 MW unit is active, with full grid connection planned once the unit reaches its peak capacity. Developed by a consortium of TotalEnergies (45%), Basrah Oil Co. (30%), and QatarEnergy (25%), the 900-hectare facility aims for full commissioning by 2028 to power 350,000 homes. This marks a massive leap for Iraq, which had only 42 MW of solar in 2024, as it targets 12 GW of solar capacity by the end of the decade.

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