Prime Minister Muhammad Shia Al-Sudani opened the Iraq Energy Conference 2026 in Baghdad on Wednesday, emphasising in his keynote speech:
- Target to export 40% of oil output as higher-value derivative products by 2030
- Expansion of refining capacity and cooperation with the private sector to end fuel imports
- Utilisation of 74% of Iraq’s gas resources to date
- Confirmed free natural gas reserves approaching 132 million standard cubic feet
- Commitment to end environmentally harmful gas flaring by 2028
- Electricity generation capacity reaching nearly 29,000 megawatts
- Completion of a more efficient national transmission and distribution network
- Plans for new power stations totalling 57,500 megawatts, including 34 plants with GE and Siemens
- Launch of 15 solar power projects targeting 7,500 megawatts across several provinces
- Development of clean energy, water resource governance, and green economy projects
The conference also highlighted Iraq’s role in regional energy cooperation, the importance of digital transformation in the energy sector, and the risks posed by regional instability to global energy markets.
