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Iraqi Parliament Blames Ministry Officials for Hindering Solar Energy Initiatives

Parliamentary Committee Critiques Solar Energy Initiative Implementation in Iraq

On January 28, 2025, Mohamed Abd Rabah, the Chairman of the Electricity and Energy Committee of the Iraqi Parliament, expressed concerns regarding perceived obstructive actions by government employees pertaining to a solar energy initiative initiated by the Central Bank of Iraq.

Abd Rabah detailed a program known as the "Central Bank Initiative," which is designed to provide loans to citizens via local banks for the acquisition of solar energy systems. He alleged that certain individuals within the Ministry of Electricity are actively working against this project, possibly for private motivations or unspecified reasons.

He emphasized the need for specialized individuals who are committed to the nation’s future to support the initiative, which has the potential to enhance Iraq’s energy sector.

In earlier developments, the Electricity and Energy Committee had assessed the Central Bank’s initiative aimed at bolstering renewable energy projects to be ineffective. Kamel Al-Aqili, a member of the committee, disclosed that the initiative, first proposed three years ago, merely saw 250 million dinars disbursed across ten borrowers, falling significantly short of its anticipated impact.

Al-Aqili attributed the initiative’s lack of success to several factors, including cumbersome bureaucratic processes and inadequate cooperation between the central bank, banks, and financial institutions. He called for improved coordination between the Ministry of Electricity, the Central Bank, and banking entities to streamline operations.

Meanwhile, the "Green" Observatory of Iraq has voiced its concerns, holding the central bank accountable for hindering the solar panel project due to stringent conditions surrounding the initiative. The Observatory advocates for revisions to these conditions to ensure better outcomes for future renewable energy efforts in the country.

Summary of Key Points

Aspect Details
Initiative Name Central Bank Initiative
Objective Provide loans for solar energy systems
Amount Disbursed 250 million dinars
Number of Borrowers 10
Main Challenges Bureaucratic complexity, lack of cooperation
Committee Response Initiative deemed a failure
Request from Green Observatory Amend conditions for better initiative success

This situation underscores the critical need for cohesive action among government entities to facilitate the development of renewable energy in Iraq, a sector that holds significant promise for future economic growth and sustainability.

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