Key facts
- Iraq faces an annual summer electricity crisis.
- The country has significant solar power potential.
- The Iraqi government is beginning to take solar power seriously.
Iraq, a nation blessed with abundant sunlight, is looking to harness solar power as a potential solution to its persistent annual electricity crisis that intensifies during the hot summer months. The country's government has recently begun to seriously consider and invest in solar energy projects, a move that comes after years of grappling with power shortages. The potential for solar energy in Iraq is significant, given its geographical location and high levels of solar irradiation. However, the delayed adoption of this renewable energy source raises questions about the factors that have hindered its development in the past.