Iraq?s Ministry of Electricity (MoE), in association with GE Power?s Grid Solutions business, has launched Baghdad West North substation, which is seen to connect up to 1,000MW to the national grid, increasing hours of available power
Luay Al-Khatteeb, minister of electricity, said, ?Iraq?s 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.?
GE?s scope of work for the turnkey 400/132/11kV gas-insulated substation project includes the design, equipment manufacturing, site delivery, erection, testing and commissioning, as well as training of personnel.
The project?s construction, erection, commissioning and testing was completed by GE Iraqi engineers in collaboration with local Iraqi subcontractors. The facility aims to feed 132kV substations at Kadhmiya, Al Shualla and Al Sabbeaat, as well as another five substations that are planned to be developed in the future and helps connect power from the Basmaya power plant, Taji Gas power plant and mobile gas power plants to the national grid.
Following the agreement for the Baghdad West North substation, GE also signed a US$400mn agreement to develop and rehabilitate 14 additional electric substations and to supply critical equipment such as transformers, circuit breakers and other related equipment. The substations are set to connect power plants spread across the governorates of Ninawa, Salah Al Din, Al Anbar, Karbala, Baghdad, Qadisiyyah and Basra to the national grid.
?Several of the locations, in conflict-affected areas, have an immediate need of reliable power infrastructure,? said GE.
