Iraq has enormous potential in the field of renewable energy, and the process of transition to renewable energies is still in its early stages in Iraq. The Iraqi electricity sector has struggled to exploit its renewable resources appropriately, and the electricity infrastructure in Iraq requires large investments to rebuild, modernize, expand and improve its total capacity. Efficiency, and it seems that Iraq’s path towards renewable energies is arduous. This is due to the lack of political stability in the country and the dominant economic role played by the fossil fuel sector, where revenues from oil represent about 99% of total Iraqi exports, as war and violence have created very difficult conditions compared to some other countries, while the integrated national energy strategy constitutes an attempt to set a short-term vision, it needs to be amended to better focus on existing realities. Therefore, Iraq currently does not have a clear and specific strategy, and there is no clear approach to transitioning to renewable energy, as the dominant role played by fossil fuels in the economy, the state, insufficient legislation, the lack of population efficiency, and political factors are all barriers that hinder the path of energy transition in Iraq.
But Iraq should improve the framework conditions for renewable energies and raise awareness about their benefits If this opportunity is to be seized, regulations on renewable energy should be adopted, market development supported, a realistic time frame for the transition process and an appropriate and reliable legal framework established.
Keywords: characteristics of the Iraqi economy, alternative energy in Iraq, fossil fuels, sustainable development, licensing rounds.
