The Ministry of Electricity and the French company Total signed two contracts today, Monday, to produce 1,000 megawatts of solar energy in Basra.A statement by the Ministry said, 'Minister of Electricity Ziad Ali Fadel sponsored the signing of two important contracts between the companies of the Ministry of Electricity and the French company Total Energies, stipulating the production of 1,000 megawatts of solar energy in Basra Governorate, which contributes to enhancing Iraq's electrical capacity and providing renewable energy sources.' þThe statement added that the French company will establish a solar power station in the Artawi field in Basra Governorate, in four stages and for a period of two years. In each stage, the national system will be equipped with 250 megawatts of energy.The statement explained, 'The Minister of Electricity spoke after concluding the two contracts about the advantages of shifting towards renewable energies in strengthening the country's electrical infrastructure and achievin g energy self-sufficiency,' praising 'the efforts of the committees formed for this purpose in overcoming the obstacles of red tape, completing the land lease requirements, and obtaining Approvals of ministries and government institutionsLast year, the federal government signed a contract with Total under the auspices of Prime Minister Muhammad Shiaa Al-Sudani, which included a package of oil and gas projects and solar energy production for a period of 25 years. Following that, the Ministry of Electricity formed technical committees to follow up on procedures with the relevant ministries and the foreign company. It resulted in the signing of contracts between the two sides, including the two contracts concluded today. The first contract includes leasing the land for the solar energy project between the General Company for Energy Production/Southern Region and Total Energies, while the second includes the signing of the connection contract with the electrical network between the General Company for Energy Tr ansport/Southern Region and Total Company.'Source: National Iraqi News Agency