Erbil, 18 November 2019- The United Nations Development Programme in Iraq (UNDP) organized a series of consultation  and training workshops in  support to the use of solar energy in Iraq. The potential is high for utility-scale and distributed photovoltaic solar energy installations in Iraq and the workshops aims to overcome challenges that hinder international investments and to implement the federal governmental plan of 1000 MW of solar energy capacity in Iraq. The training courses aims to build national technical capacity and create a nucleus of Training of Trainers (ToT) for modular solar energy, covering the full life-cycle of the applications of solar energy.

In partnership with the Regional Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE), representatives from the Iraqi Parliament, Prime Minister Advisory Commission (PMAC), Ministry of Planning, Ministry of Electricity, Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Ministry of Industry and Minerals in addition to local private sector companies joined the consultation meetings with counterparts from Tunisia, Egypt and Jordan. Lessons learned and success stories from the mentioned countries related to engaging private sector in renewable energy projects were highlighted during the meetings.

Selected Iraqi academic institutions have also participated in a knowledge exchange workshop to improve the academic and vocational training with focus on solar energy. Representatives from the Arab world academic institutions were among the attendees.

The workshops have also included the Engineering College, Technical College, Technical Institution in Baghdad University and College of Energy and Environment in Alkarkh University for Science and the Directorate for Vocational Training under the umbrella of Ministry of Labor and Social affairs.

“The renewable energy industry in Iraq is promising  and opportunities exist to significantly scale this up and encourage a true energy transformation for a cleaner and more climate resilient country.” said Zena Ali Ahmad, Resident Represetative, UNDP Iraq.

The events were organized as part of the project “Catalysing the Use of Photovoltaic Solar Energy in Iraq”, funded by the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) and implemented by UNDP in cooperation with four federal Ministries of Iraq and the private sector.

For further information, please contact:

Mohammed Al-Bahbahanee, UNDP Communications Specialist