BAGHDAD, May 2 (Xinhua) -- The Iraqi Ministry of Electricity launched Thursday the first round of investment in solar energy projects with a targeted capacity of 755 MW.

A statement by the ministry said it has "launched the first round of investment projects of photovoltaic solar power, through inviting companies specialized in generating electricity from photovoltaic power stations."

"The companies are invited to build solar plants with capacities up to 755 MW in the provinces of Babil, Wasit, Karbala and al-Muthanna and al-Diwaniyah as a first stage, and will work on providing logistical, technical and legal requirements for other sites in southern and western Iraq in the next stage," the statement said.

The ministry's move is part of its plans to introduce renewable energy to the country's electricity-generating system, and the ministry expected the renewable energy to be added to the national power generation system by the end of 2020, according to the statement.

Iraq has been suffering from acute shortages in power supply since the U.S.-led invasion in 2003, and the post-war governments have constantly failed to rehabilitate electricity production due to rampant corruption and poor management. Enditem

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