The Ministry of Oil, in cooperation with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the Ministry of Electricity, organized a workshop for the period from (10-11) February, on "Activation and Approval of Iraq's Energy Readiness Report". The workshop was attended by the Prime Minister's advisors, the Oil Ministry advisor, and a number of directors and officials in the Ministries of Oil and Electricity.
The Oil Ministry's advisor for energy affairs, Mr. Abdul Baqi Khalaf, said that the workshop is the second to be organized in Iraq in cooperation with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), with the attendance of specialists from the Ministry of Oil and Electricity and many experts from the private sector, pointing to the great importance of preparing the Iraq Renewable Energy Readiness Report, explaining that the first workshop was held a year ago, during which the IRENA agency was assigned to complete a special study that includes the administrative, financial and legislative aspects of the renewable energy issue, in addition to setting decision-making policies at the high level.
He added that this workshop is important for setting a roadmap for Iraq to work on the renewable energy file, and is an important guiding sign for investors to enter the Iraqi energy market.
The Prime Minister's Advisor for Oil Economic Affairs, Mr. Falah Al-Amiri, said that this type of seminars indicates the maturity in the field of renewable energy in Iraq, stressing that the Iraqi government is interested in strengthening this field through continuous meetings in the Ministries of Oil and Electricity.
The citizen must realize that it is not an alternative to the electricity generated by the Ministry of Electricity or gas, but rather it is a supporter and provider of energy used by the Iraqi citizen, adding,
Also, developing an integrated plan for the growth of renewable energy and the intensive use of gas in the country helps reduce pollution and increases the production rate, as well as reducing daily power outages, and this does not happen without full support from the relevant authorities. The Director of the Research and Development Center, Eng. Ali Jassim Hamoud, said that Iraq aims to reduce carbon emissions using the best practices in the oil industry, especially with the progress in the completion rates of gas projects in southern and central Iraq, noting that the Ministry of Oil is continuing to implement plans related to gas investment and many projects have been referred in the past period, and there are advanced completion rates in strategic projects, including the Artawi and Luhais projects, the Halfaya gas field project, the Nasiriyah gas field project, and recently the Mansouriya project contract was activated, stressing that the Ministry of Oil is determined to invest all energy resources to reduce gas flaring rates, which contributes to enhancing economic development. The Regional Officer for the Middle East and North Africa at the International Renewable Energy Agency, Mr. Tariq Taj, said that the most important topics discussed in the workshop are incentive policies, investment in energy, the capabilities available in the country, and the obstacles facing energy transformations towards clean energy.
