Iraq is set to inaugurate its first industrial-scale solar plant in Karbala province in an effort to alleviate the ongoing electricity crisis that has caused widespread blackouts. According to Nasser Karim al-Sudani, head of the national team for solar energy projects in the prime minister’s office, noted that work is also underway on another solar project, with a 225MW capacity, in Babil province, reported Associated Press. These projects are part of a broader strategy to meet Iraq’s electricity demands through large-scale solar power plants, reducing reliance on traditional energy sources and mitigating environmental impacts. Deputy Minister of Electricity Adel Karim stated that solar schemes under construction, approval, or negotiation in the country have a combined capacity of 12,500MW. Iraq’s electricity consumption reached about 55,000MW earlier this year when temperatures soared above 50°C in some regions.