GE Power and Iraq Ministry of Electricity launch 1,000MW substation
Facility will help connect power from several power plants to Iraq’s national grid
GE Power in partnership with the Iraq Ministry of Electricity have launched a substation that can add 1,000MW to the country’s national grid. The Baghdad West North Substation is located 35KM away from Baghdad city and can reduce bottlenecks and increase hours of available power.
The project is said to underline GE Power and the Ministry of Electricity’s commitment to the development of Iraq’s power infrastructure. The launch event was attended by Adil Abdul Mahdi, Prime Minister of Iraq and senior officials from the government of Iraq, the Iraq Ministry of Electricity and from GE.
According to a statement, GE’s scope for work in the turnkey 400/132/11 kilovolt (kV) gas insulated substation project included the design, equipment manufacturing, site delivery, erection, testing and commissioning, and training of personnel. GE Iraq engineers in collaboration with Iraqi subcontractors were responsible for the project’s construction, erection, commissioning, and testing.
“The Iraqi Ministry of Electricity is seeking to provide reliable, uninterrupted power across the country. The opening of the Baghdad West North substation reflects our efforts to achieve this goal. The substation will play a critical role in helping to deliver much-needed power, especially in the upcoming summer months. The energisation of the substation reflects our commitment to support Iraq in building a robust electricity infrastructure,” said Minister of Electricity Luay Al Khatteeb.
GE says that the new substation can feed 132kV substations at Kadhmiya, Al Shualla and Al Sabbeaat, in addition to five new substations that could go into development in the future. The 1,000MW substation will also help connect power from the Basmaya Power Plant, Taji Gas Power Plant and other gas power plants to the national grid.
Mohammed Mohaisen, president & CEO of GE Power’s Grid Solutions business in MENA and Turkey added, “Our turnkey approach to project development helps bring best-in-class technology and expertise across every touch-point of the project. As a partner in the country’s progress, we will continue to deliver on our promise to the Iraqi people of supporting the government to build a stable electricity network that meets their needs.”
