Interest in investing in renewable energy as a means of achieving sustainability has accelerated in recent years. It has become a strategic option for fossil fuel-importing and exporting countries alike, with the former looking to increase their energy security and reduce imports and the latter facing many challenges in selling and refining hydrocarbons and – an especially acute problem for Kurdistan Region – sharing their financial revenues.

It is therefore auspicious that the region is so conducive to harnessing wind energy. Its distinctive geography features mountainous terrain and high plateaus where wind speeds range between six and eight meters per second (m/s), sufficient for operating wind turbines efficiently. Moreover, the availability of large unused areas enhances the potential for installing wind farms. 

Benefits

Strategic investment: Wind energy is forecast to be one of the cheapest renewable energy sources over the long term, though there are high upfront costs, with investments required in importing turbines, conducting engineering studies, establishing power generation stations, and distributing the power to consumers. Yet, once built, wind requires relatively low operation and maintenance costs and can produce a considerable amount of energy, helping the Kurdistan Region achieve greater independence from other energy sources.

Carbon emissions reductions: According to Draw Media, “there are 15 power plants in the Kurdistan Region that operate on gas, diesel, black oil and water, which together can produce 6,939 megawatts of electricity.” According to data from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Ministry of Electricity, these plants produced 2,715 megawatts or roughly 39% of the total electricity in the region in December 2023.

In addition to these sources, a number of diesel and gasoline engines are used to power cities during periods of power shortages and outages. Notably, one liter of gasoline when used as fuel produces 1.3 cubic meters of carbon. During the combustion process, the carbon and hydrogen elements present in fossil fuels are mainly converted into carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide, resulting from incomplete combustion. These organic compounds warm the atmosphere, change weather patterns and the ecosystem cycle, and lead to deforestation, drought, and diseases such as cancer and asthma.

Producing more alternative energy can therefore contribute significantly to reducing the region’s carbon emissions and combating climate change in Kurdistan, which faces multiple environmental challenges.

Job opportunities: Any development in the energy sector can create new job opportunities in various fields such as engineering, construction, and maintenance. This, in turn, can contribute to improving the economic conditions in the region and providing job opportunities for young people, partly through the auxiliary jobs created in other sectors by attracting foreign investment.

Challenges

Logistics: The difficulty of transporting turbine blades from the manufacturer to installation sites in the landlocked Kurdistan Region presents a hurdle for investment. There are only two transport routes: either through ports in the Gulf and then overland or overland through Turkey. It is unclear whether the region’s roads can accommodate the transportation of mechanisms that measure longer than 85 meters.

High upfront infrastructure costs: Despite the low operating costs, the initial expenses of establishing wind power plants are large, considering the need for infrastructure and technology, including transformer stations and medium- and high-voltage electricity distribution lines. Thus, the weakness of the current infrastructure can be an obstacle to achieving maximum benefit from wind energy.

Technical aspects: Wind energy technology requires advanced knowledge and careful maintenance. The region’s workforce may lack the skills and expertise to effectively manage and operate wind power plants, necessitating foreign expertise and training local cadres and engineers, at least at the beginning.

Security: Political and security stability may deter local and foreign investors alike, especially since areas with promising wind conditions are located near to borders with other states. It is important to address these concerns through sound planning and effective communication with local and regional authorities.

Next steps

According to the Global Wind Atlas, there are vast areas to the east of Soran Administration, Dohuk Governorate, Sulaymaniyah Governorate, and Zakho Administration with wind speeds of more than 7.26 m/s. In order to determine the optimal location for wind farms, engineers could install turbines with wind sensors at various locations to measure average annual wind speed and estimate the potential for wind power generation.

It is also vital to cross reference field tables and analyze data collected from meteorological stations, in addition to satellite data and global climate models. This data should include wind speeds and directions throughout the year.

The next step would involve conducting logistical and financial studies that plan how medium- and high-voltage distribution lines could link to transformer stations from wind farms. In addition, it will be necessary to study the feasibility of constructing roads to establish and maintain turbines, which may be located in remote or environmentally sensitive areas.

Finally, it will be imperative to train a specialized cadre of local specialists who can operate and maintain the turbines.

Developing clear, strong policies and legislation regarding wind energy could certainly stimulate investment in wind energy, not least by providing incentives for investors to improve and develop the infrastructure needed for wind energy projects, including electricity grids and storage systems. Providing training and awareness programs for the community on the benefits of wind energy and the importance of transitioning to renewable energy sources is also essential.

Muhi Elkurdi is a Facility & Asset Management Engineer at GE Vernova - LM Wind Power, with expertise in wind energy projects across Poland, Turkey, and France. He is currently based at the company's headquarters in Denmark.