PHOTO
Iraqis work at Al-Quds power plant in northern Baghdad November 9, 2008. Image used for illustrative purpose.
OPEC member Iraq is planning to use build combined cycle power plants totaling 4,000 megawatts (MW) in the next two years, the country’s Electricity Minister was quoted on Tuesday as saying.
The projects are part of a post-war plan to tackle a persistent power supply shortage and lessen reliance on imported energy, Ziad Fadil said.
In remarks published in the official gazette and carried by Aliqtisad News and other Iraqi publications, Fadil said such projects would save the Ministry nearly $4 billion a year.
“We have plans to set up combined cycle power projects that will add nearly 4,000 MW of electricity to Iraq’s power generation within two years…these projects will contribute to tackling the country’s power shortages and save large funds,” the Minister said without providing further details about the projects.
Fadil also revealed that Iraq intends to invite bids from international firms for the conversion of power supply facilities to “smart systems” to end electricity waste.
(Writing by Nadim Kawach; Editing by Anoop Menon)
