A major advance for GE in Iraq in preparation for the summer of 2025, 6 FEB

 A major advance for GE in Iraq in preparation for the summer of 2025

Shafaq News / The Iraqi Ministry of Electricity and General Electric (Vernova) announced on Wednesday the completion of extensive updates in a number of major power plants, which enhances the performance and efficiency of existing generating units in preparation for the summer season.

These projects are part of the ministry’s efforts to modernize the electrical infrastructure and increase the stability of the network to meet the growing demand for energy, in line with Iraq’s strategy to secure more electricity, switch to more sustainable energy and reduce the intensity of carbon emissions.

According to a statement from Shafak News Agency, one of the projects includes the modernization of 46 gas turbines in 12 power plants, contributing to the addition of more than 500 megawatts to the national network by the summer of 2025.

According to the statement, these updates are expected to enhance operational flexibility and significantly increase generation efficiency. The modernized plants included Nineveh, Diwaniyah, Hilla, Karbala, Shatt Basra, Najibia, Samawa, Dhi Qar, Al-Khayrat, and Al-Haydiriyah, where their operation was converted from heavy fuel to natural gas, which contributed to the addition of 260 MW of generating capacity already, and maintenance and upgrades in other plants are expected to contribute to adding a generating capacity of up to 250 MW after completing updates before the summer of 2025.

In another project, the Ministry confirmed the completion of the “Advanced Hot Gas Track” (AGP) update on the E9 class gas turbines at the Jerusalem and Dhi Qar and Qayara terminals and the MXLII update at the Mansouria station on the 13E2 class gas turbines. This upgrade is expected to achieve an increase in generating capacity of up to 6% per station, allowing the production of more energy using the same fuel quantities.

The Iraqi Ministry of Electricity pointed out that General Electric (Vernova) has completed various comprehensive maintenance projects to ensure the readiness of about 3.7 GW in major stations such as Al-Qayyara, Diwaniyah, Al-Haydriyah, and southern Baghdad. These projects come within 5-year service and modernization agreements that have been announced in advance, and aim to ensure the readiness and stability of the national network in the long term.

In this regard, Iraqi Minister of Electricity, Ziad Ali Fadel, said that “these diverse and comprehensive projects represent a pivotal step towards strengthening the capabilities of the electricity sector in Iraq, especially in the peak seasons.”

Fadel added, according to the statement, that “improving the efficiency of generation plants and increasing production without increasing fuel consumption reflects the ministry’s commitment to developing the national network in partnership with international companies such as General Electric Vernova.”

For his part, Joseph Annis, President and CEO of General Electric Vernova for the Europe, Middle East and Africa region, expressed his pride in supporting the electricity sector in Iraq through an ongoing partnership with the Ministry of Electricity.

According to the Iraqi Electricity Statement, Anis pointed out that “the completion of these projects according to the schedule contributes to enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of generation units in line with the Iraqi government’s vision in the energy sector.”

Earlier last year, General Electric Vernova announced the operation of six 132 kV power conversion stations ahead of schedule, the latest of which was the Rusafa center conversion station on November 18, 2024, more than two months before the scheduled time.

During April 2024, the Iraqi government and General Electric Vernova signed memorandums of understanding under the auspices of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani in Washington on the sidelines of his visit to the United States of America, in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister for Energy Affairs and Oil Minister Hiyan Abdul Ghani, and Chief Executive Officer of Government Affairs and Sustainability at General Electric Vernova, Roger Martella.

General Electric Vernova has contributed significantly to supporting the electricity sector in Iraq over the past decade, adding 19 GW to the national network, building and operating 30 power conversion plants, and contributing to the project to connect the Iraqi electricity network with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

In addition, GE facilitated Iraq’s access to more than $3 billion in financing to support energy projects, and continued to invest in training Iraqi manpower and developing local cadres

https://www.shafaq.com/ar/مجتـمع/تقدم-كبير-لـ-جنرال-لكتريك-في-العراق-تحضيرا-لصيف-2025