DUBAI, UAE - Iraq’s Minister of Electricity Ziyad Ali Fadel held a virtual meeting Sunday with the United Arab Emirates-based Masdar to discuss accelerating a planned 1,000-megawatt solar power project.

The project, part of Iraq’s broader push to expand renewable energy, includes the construction of solar plants in the provinces of Maysan, Dhi Qar and Anbar. The initiative is seen as a key step in diversifying Iraq’s energy sources and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed finalizing the power purchase agreement and resolving any obstacles that have slowed progress. 

Fadel reaffirmed the government’s commitment to advancing clean energy projects as part of a nationwide strategy.

Both parties agreed to reconvene next week to continue negotiations and expedite implementation of the first-phase projects.

The solar project is among several initiatives Iraq is pursuing to meet growing energy demands and address chronic electricity shortages.

Masdar is one of the world’s fastest-growing renewable energy companies and a global leader in green hydrogen. Founded to advance the UAE’s clean energy vision, Masdar has developed projects in over 40 countries across six continents, with a total capacity of 51 gigawatts. 

The company is jointly owned by ADNOC, Mubadala, and TAQA, leveraging their combined expertise to drive innovation in solar, wind, energy storage, waste-to-energy, and geothermal technologies.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani on Thursday oversaw the signing of an energy cooperation agreement and two maintenance contracts between Iraq’s Ministry of Electricity and Germany’s Siemens Energy.

The agreements include a memorandum of understanding to add 14,000 megawatts to Iraq’s national power grid as part of the third phase of a broader energy cooperation plan.