GE has signed an agreement with the Iraqi Ministry of Electricity to develop the power sector in the country.
Image: GE signs agreement to develop Iraqi power sector. Photo courtesy of General Electric.
The targeted capacity is expected to create 65,000 direct and indirect jobs, support the government to realize savings and recoverable losses of up to $3bn per year, establish a local technology center and support water and healthcare access.
GE’s president and CEO of power services in Africa, South Asia and the Middle East Joseph Anis and Iraqi Minister for Electricity Qasim Al Fahdawi signed the Principles of Cooperation (POC).
As part of the comprehensive plan, GE will deploy fast power technologies and upgrade power plant sites to bring 1.5GW of additional power online by 2019 – electricity needed to supply up to 1.5 million Iraqi homes.
The company will also provide maintenance and rehabilitation services to secure another 7GW that are currently operating.
The agreement includes upgrades and services for existing power plants; conversion of simple cycle power plants to combined cycle; and establishment of new power plants with efficient, reliable power generation technology.
As part of the agreement, GE will develop substations and overhead lines across the country, as well as a centralized energy management system covering generation, transmission and distribution, which will add up to 14GW of power and strengthen grid connectivity.
The company’s initiatives are expected to help the government realize savings and recover losses of up to $3bn per year; and reduce the operating costs of existing power plants.
GE will undertake decongestion network studies to improve the transmission and distribution of power, and advisory services to reduce collection recoverable losses.
Furthermore, GE will offer its solution for integrating the capture of flared gas and power generation using advanced gas-to-power technologies.
GE also plans to establish a local Technology Center comprising a Repairs Center, a Monitoring and Diagnostics Center and a Training Center; and supply three trailer-mounted mobile water treatment units to help deliver drinking water to contribute to the everyday needs of the people of Basra.
The company also plans to provide intensive care equipment and advanced medical care training for nursing staff at a neonatal intensive care center to meet the need for specialized healthcare services.