Advancing renewable and sustainable energy: A regional approach

Abstract

This paper analyses the nation's advancements in renewable energy in Iraq from 2013 to 2023, emphasizing the potential of solar, wind, and biomass technologies. Iraq possesses substantial renewable energy resources, with an estimated technical potential of 500 MW from solar energy, as it receives an average daily solar irradiance of 5–6 kWh/m², in addition to more than 200 MW of existing wind power capacity. Nonetheless, a number of obstacles still existed such as insufficient legislative frameworks, grid interconnection concerns, and substantial initial investment costs impede large-scale implementation. The transition into renewable energy necessitates significant expenditures, projected in the billions of dollars, to develop infrastructure, facilitate research, and promote adoption. The research finds that solar and wind energy might diminish Iraq's carbon footprint by 30–40% during the next twenty years. The analysis examines governmental measures and methods to accelerate the transition, encompassing financial incentives, regulatory reforms, and public awareness campaigns. By confronting these problems and utilizing its extensive renewable resources, Iraq may attain a sustainable energy future, alleviating economic and environmental pressures while guaranteeing long-term energy security.