Sat Sep 20 09:03:38 UTC 2025: Here’s a news article summarizing the text, along with a headline and a concise summary:

**Headline: Iraq to Inaugurate First Major Solar Plant, Aiming to End Power Crisis**

**Summary:** Beset by chronic electricity shortages, Iraq is launching a major push into solar power, starting with the inauguration of its first industrial-scale solar plant in Karbala. The 300-megawatt facility is part of a broader plan to develop 12,500 megawatts of solar capacity, potentially providing 20% of the nation’s electricity needs. While Iraq boasts significant oil and gas reserves, decades of conflict, corruption, and mismanagement have crippled its power sector, leaving the country reliant on costly and unreliable imports from Iran.

**News Article:**

**KARBALA, Iraq** – Iraq is poised to inaugurate its first industrial-scale solar power plant in Karbala, marking a significant step in the nation’s efforts to overcome a debilitating electricity crisis. The plant, sprawling across 400 hectares (1,000 acres) of desert in the al-Hur area, is expected to generate up to 300 megawatts of electricity at peak production.

The Karbala project is just the beginning of a larger solar energy initiative, according to Nasser Karim al-Sudani, head of the national team for solar energy projects in the Iraqi prime minister’s office. Another 225-megawatt facility is under construction in Babil province, and a massive 1,000-megawatt project is planned for Basra in southern Iraq.

According to Deputy Minister of Electricity Adel Karim, Iraq aims to develop 12,500 megawatts of solar capacity through projects that are either being implemented, approved, or under negotiation. These projects, excluding the Kurdistan region, could potentially supply up to 20% of Iraq’s total electricity demand.

Iraq has struggled with persistent power shortages for decades, despite being a major oil and gas producer. War, corruption, and mismanagement have crippled the country’s electricity infrastructure, leading to widespread blackouts, especially during the scorching summer months when temperatures can exceed 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit). Nationwide electricity consumption this summer peaked at 55,000 MW while the country produced 28,000 MW.

Currently, Iraq relies heavily on electricity and natural gas imports from Iran, particularly to fuel its power plants. These imports have faced challenges due to US sanctions on Iran, which have complicated payments and supply. Furthermore, Iran itself faces energy shortages, adding to the uncertainty surrounding these critical energy supplies.

The shift towards solar energy represents a strategic move for Iraq, aiming to reduce its reliance on volatile imports, address its chronic power shortages, and mitigate the environmental impact of its energy sector. The success of these projects is seen as vital to Iraq’s economic stability and future development.

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