Total has this month begun site preparation for its 1GW solar plant in Iraq’s Basra province, part of its $27bn ‘Gas Growth Integrated Project (GGIP)’ signed in mid-2023 (MEES, 14 July 2023). The solar capacity will be built in four stages near the Total-operated Ratawi oilfield, with Iraqi officials in January saying that they expect the first 250MW stage to be delivered by end-2025 (MEES, 17 January). The full 1GW capacity is slated for 2027.
The electricity ministry says the ‘Basra Sun’ project will utilize 2 million panels covering a 9 km2 area, whilst Total says 22 km2. Last year, the French major awarded the project’s EPC contract to Chinese state-owned China Energy Engineering Corporation (CEEC or ‘Energy China’) for “the design, procurement, construction, and commissioning of the PV power plant site and a 132 kV booster station.” (CONTINUED - 155 WORDS)