
Iraq holds the 12th largest reserves in the world, estimated at 131 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) at the end of 2022, predominantly located in large oil fields in the south and mostly associated with oil production. Despite these substantial reserves, Iraq faces regulatory, investment, and infrastructure challenges, which have kept natural gas production largely unchanged since 2016. The majority of Iraq's natural gas, about two-thirds, is produced as a byproduct of oil extraction.. [pdf]
Energy in Iraq plays a crucial role in both the national economy and the global energy markets due to the country's vast oil reserves and significant status within the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). Iraq holds abundant oil and gas resources and has strong solar PV potential.
There are a number of pathways available for the future of electricity supply in Iraq but the most affordable, reliable and sustainable path requires cutting network losses by half at least, strengthening regional interconnections, putting captured gas to use in efficient power plants, and increasing the share of renewables in the mix.
Iraq's electricity generation primarily depends on fossil fuels. In 2021, natural gas was the largest source at 57.3% of the total, followed by oil at 36.7%. Renewable energy, mainly from hydroelectric power, contributed 5.9%. As of 2023, the 30 gigawatts (GW) of installed capacity cannot meet summer peak demand.
Since 2021, Iraq has started operating three thermal power plants with a combined capacity of 2.6 GW, and Iraq has plans to add 6 GW of new generation capacity by 2025. Iraq also plans to increase the energy efficiency of existing plants and other electric power sector infrastructure.64
Iraq holds abundant oil and gas resources and has strong solar PV potential. Its production to 2030 is set to be the third largest contributor to global oil supply. By the same year, the government expects that renewable capacity will amount for 5% of the country’s total system capacity.
Renewable energy here is the sum of hydropower, wind, solar, geothermal, modern biomass and wave and tidal energy. Traditional biomass – the burning of charcoal, crop waste, and other organic matter – is not included. This can be an important energy source in lower-income settings. Iraq: How much of the country’s energy comes from nuclear power?

Iraq is seeking to raise the share of clean energy to 33% by 2030, helped by a solid expansion in the country's solar capacity, oil minister Ihsan Abdul Jabbar Ismail said at the Saudi Green Initia. . Iraq is seeking to raise the share of clean energy to 33% by 2030, helped by a solid expansion in the country's solar capacity, oil minister Ihsan Abdul Jabbar Ismail said at the Saudi Green Initia. . This paper aims to review and discuss the status and future of renewable energy in Iraq. The uses of renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind and biomass, have been reviewed. [pdf]
Renewable energy here is the sum of hydropower, wind, solar, geothermal, modern biomass and wave and tidal energy. Traditional biomass – the burning of charcoal, crop waste, and other organic matter – is not included. This can be an important energy source in lower-income settings. Iraq: How much of the country’s energy comes from nuclear power?
The establishment of Iraq Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Agency in 2010 and the formation of the Iraq Renewable Energy Agency (IREA) in 2016 further solidified the country commitment to green energy. In 2018, the country electric power consumption had risen to 0.75 MWh per capita, and wind energy capacity reached 100 MW.
Iraq's electricity generation primarily depends on fossil fuels. In 2021, natural gas was the largest source at 57.3% of the total, followed by oil at 36.7%. Renewable energy, mainly from hydroelectric power, contributed 5.9%. As of 2023, the 30 gigawatts (GW) of installed capacity cannot meet summer peak demand.
Energy in Iraq plays a crucial role in both the national economy and the global energy markets due to the country's vast oil reserves and significant status within the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). Iraq holds abundant oil and gas resources and has strong solar PV potential.
While there were minor fluctuations in subsequent years, the net import continued to rise, surpassing 20 TWh in 2020 and reaching 21 TWh in 2021. This suggests an increasing dependence on external sources for electricity to meet Iraq energy demand during this period. Figure 5. Net electrical energy import for the years 2000 to 2021 17, 18
Traditional biomass – the burning of charcoal, crop waste, and other organic matter – is not included. This can be an important source in lower-income settings. Iraq: How much of the country’s electricity comes from nuclear power? Nuclear power – alongside renewables – is a low-carbon source of electricity.
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