Iraq is moving forward with plans to develop silica sand and waste-to-energy projects this year, according to a spokesperson for the National Investment Commission (NIC).
Hanan Jassim told the Iraqi News Agency (INA) on Monday that the NIC is conducting a feasibility study for the production of high-purity (98 percent) silica sand, a key raw material for semiconductor manufacturing.
She noted that the sector has the potential to contribute up to $100 billion annually to Iraq’s economy.
Jassim also announced that the country’s second waste-to-energy project will be built in Abu Ghraib, located in Baghdad governorate, following the successful award of the first project in Nahrawan.
The Nahrawan project, designed to process 3,000 tonnes of waste per day and generate 100 megawatts (MW) of electricity, was awarded to Shanghai-based SUS Environment.
The Abu Ghraib waste-to-energy project is expected to follow a similar procurement model as the Nahrawan project, based on previous NIC statements.