Iraq and GE Vernova enhance power grid with major plant upgrades

The Iraqi Ministry of Electricity (MoE) and GE Vernova Inc. have completed a series of critical upgrades across multiple power plants, significantly improving Iraq’s power generation capacity and grid stability.

The modernisation efforts, which target 46 gas turbines across 12 facilities, are expected to add up to 500 megawatts (MW) to the national grid by summer 2025, supporting Iraq’s energy transition goals.

Several plants, including those in Ninawa, Al Diwaniyah, Hilla, Karbala, Shat Al Basra, Najibiya, Samawa, Dhiqar, Al Khairat, and Al Haidariya, have already switched from heavy fuel oil (HFO) to natural gas, increasing capacity by approximately 260 MW.

The remaining plants are set for completion by mid-2025, with an anticipated additional 250 MW boost.

Long-term vision

Further upgrades include the installation of GE Vernova’s Advanced Gas Path (AGP) technology on 9E gas turbines at Al-Quds and Dhiqar power plants, as well as MXLII upgrades on 13E2 gas turbines at Al Mansouriya.

These enhancements are expected to increase power output by up to 6% without additional fuel consumption.

As part of a broader services and maintenance agreement with the MoE, GE Vernova has also completed major overhauls at several power plants, including Qayyarah, Diwaniyah, Al-Haydariyah, and Baghdad South, covering a combined capacity of 3.7 gigawatts.

These initiatives aim to improve the long-term reliability and efficiency of Iraq’s electricity infrastructure.

Ziyad Ali Fadhil, Iraq’s Minister of Electricity, said, “These diverse and comprehensive projects significantly advance our goals of expanding electricity generation and enhancing energy reliability, particularly during peak demand periods. The projects also focus on improving power plant efficiency and increasing output without increased fuel consumption, leading to less carbon emissions per amount of fuel consumed. Collaborating with reputed international companies like GE Vernova is critical to achieving the Ministry's objectives and bolstering the nation's power sector.”

Joseph Anis, president & CEO, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Gas Power at GE Vernova, said, "We are proud of this ongoing collaboration to support the Ministry of Electricity’s strategic objectives of enhancing power generation efficiency across Iraq and accelerating the nation’s energy transition efforts. The timely completion of these projects is integral to GE Vernova's commitment to modernise Iraq's energy infrastructure and support the delivery of more efficient and more sustainable energy solutions.”