The Baghdad International Energy Forum (BIEF) was a major milestone in highlighting Iraq's growing shift towards renewable energy as a strategic option, not just a secondary alternative to oil and gas. The forum clearly reflected Iraq's new vision in light of its demographic, economic and climate challenges, while also highlighting Turkey's unique position as a key potential partner in Iraq's energy transition.
Iraq Between Electricity Challenges and Clean Energy Opportunities
Despite Iraq's vast oil and gas reserves, power outages remain a chronic dilemma for successive governments. At the same time, the almost total dependence on fossil fuels (more than 98% by 2023) has led to serious environmental and economic impacts.
The report, published by the Turkish newspaper Daily Sabah, noted that Iraq has a high potential to exploit solar and wind energy, which would enable it to reduce the electricity gap, achieve economic diversification and create jobs, especially in rural areas. However, limited infrastructure and technological expertise, along with financing challenges and political instability, are hindering rapid expansion in this field.
Turkey as a strategic partner for the energy transition
According to Turkish Deputy Energy Minister Ahmet Berat Çunkar, relations between Baghdad and Ankara have moved beyond the Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline to include natural gas projects, electricity grid integration, and renewable energy.
He stressed that cooperation in the field of clean energy is in line with Iraq's Vision 2030, which places energy transition at the center of its strategy, and Turkey's ambition to become a regional energy hub.
Regional Integration and Energy Diplomacy
The report noted that solar and wind projects in Iraq could become a major attraction for Turkish investments, given Ankara's superior engineering expertise and ability to manufacture equipment and develop projects. On the other hand, Iraq offers a natural environment conducive to the production of large amounts of clean energy, as Baghdad records more than 3,000 hours of sunshine per year, and the peak of wind power coincides with periods of high demand for electricity in the summer.
Development route: A new energy corridor
The Development Road project has been a pivotal element in the energy diplomacy between the two countries, as it is not only a logistics and trade corridor, but is designed to be a renewable energy corridor that integrates clean electricity infrastructure into regional transmission networks.
The report concludes that Iraq is facing a historic opportunity to reshape its energy map for economic security and environmental sustainability, with Turkey emerging as one of the most capable partners to support this transformation. With renewable energy at the center of the Baghdad International Energy Forum, the future of Iraqi-Turkish cooperation is poised to become a strategic hub for the region's stability and prosperity.
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