Floating Solar: A New Path for Energy and Water

Security Iraq’s lakes and reservoirs could serve not only as water-storage and hydropower assets, but also as platforms for renewable electricity generation.
Our latest article examines how floating solar could help Iraq expand clean-energy capacity, reduce pressure on agricultural land, make use of existing hydropower and transmission infrastructure, and potentially limit evaporation from reservoir surfaces.
A preliminary assessment indicates that covering just 1% of the combined surface of Mosul, Haditha, Dukan, and Darbandikhan reservoirs could theoretically support around 632 MW of solar capacity and generate approximately 1.16 TWh annually.
The opportunity is significant, but implementation should begin with careful site screening, environmental assessment, and limited pilot projects before wider deployment.