Basra's Sun Under Scrutiny: Parliamentary Question Opens the File of Achievement and Delay in the Solar Energy Project
mesoiraq - MP Suzan al-Saad directed, on Friday, a parliamentary question to the Minister of Electricity, in which she demanded detailed clarifications regarding the actual achievement rates of the Basra Solar power plant project, which is being implemented by TotalEnergies.
The parliamentary question included an inquiry about the current completion rate of the project, the extent of the company's commitment to the timetable set for completing the second phase, which aims to raise production capacity to 500 megawatts during the current month of September, as well as stating the reasons for any delay and the delay penalties incurred by the company under the contract.
Al-Saad also demanded clarification of the size of generation capacities actually connected to the national grid, and comparing them with other renewable energy projects, in addition to revealing the reasons for the time gap between the planned schedules and current achievement rates, especially regarding land allocation and signing grid connection agreements.
The demands also included stating the readiness of transmission lines and transformer stations to absorb additional loads, and identifying the negligent parties in case of delays or obstacles that prevented the implementation of the project within the specified periods.
The MP also called for a detailed disclosure of the financial amounts actually paid to companies since the signing of the contracts, the mechanism for calculating delay penalties against contractors, as well as clarifying any future financial obligations that could affect the 2027 budget.
In the file of rooftop solar energy, Al-Saad asked about the Ministry of Electricity's procedures to facilitate the connection of solar systems for institutions and homes to the national grid, the number of applications submitted and systems actually entering service, compared to the number of licensed cards, and the reasons for the slow procedures for financing and implementing this file.
She affirmed that the questions come within the supervisory role of the Council of Representatives, aimed at assessing the reality of renewable energy projects and the extent of commitment to the specified timelines and budgets, amid the need to diversify energy sources and enhance the capacity of the national electricity system.