TotalEnergies, the French energy giant, has initiated its project for the development of a 1 GW solar park in southern Iraq. The project is one of four contracts TotalEnergies has with the Iraqi Ministry of Oil for facilities in the Basra Governorate for gas, oil, renewable energy, and seawater desalination. Reportedly, TotalEnergies started its four contracts in August 2023. The company is also starting efforts to establish a seawater treatment facility, develop over 600 million cubic metres of gas reserves, and develop the Artawi oilfield in addition to the solar project.
Recently, in August 2023, TotalEnergies and CapeOmega AS announced the signing of an agreement to purchase the 40 per cent participating interest in the carbon dioxide storage exploration permit for the Luna project, ExL004. TotalEnergies would purchase this interest from CapeOmega AS. The said project spans an area of 453 sq km and is situated 120 km west of Bergen, in the North Sea’s water depth of 200 metres, Norway.
In June 2023, TotalEnergies and VNG signed an agreement to initiate the future supply of green hydrogen to the Leuna refinery operated by TotalEnergies. Under the agreement, green hydrogen was produced from renewable electricity with a 30 MW electrolyser in Bad Lauchstädt, built and operated by VNG with its partner Uniper.
REGlobal’s Views: As renewable energy takes centerstage globally, new economies in Asia and the MENA region are emerging as attractive hotspots for clean energy investments. TotalEnergies is significantly focusing on expanding its reach in these emerging markets. Iraq has been making efforts to reduce its energy imports and increase its solar power uptake. The country also has similar agreements in place with companies like ACWA Power and Masdar.
