The Taji?power plant in Iraq has?entered commercial operation adding 160MW of critical capacity to the countrys grid
Iraq?s ministry of electricity (MOE) commissioned the power plant two years ago and it was built by Iraqi-owned Uruk Engineering & Contracting. The plant is situated on 50,000 sqm and is located 20km northeast of Baghdad.
?The successful start up of Taji signals the first steps in fulfilling our continuous commitment to bring much needed, reliable electricity to the people of Iraq,? said Iraq minister of electricity?Karim Aftan Aljumaily.
The dual-fuel plant is capable of running on light, distilled oil or natural gas and uses four Frame 6B Gas Turbines supplied by GE. The plant can generate enough electricity to support around 160,000 households.
The Taji plant is the first in a series of initiatives that the Iraqi government has undertaken to improve the utilities infrastructure in the country. GE is also supplying similar equipment for two other new power plants in Hilla and Karbala. These plants will be expected to enter service in 2012.
GE Energy?in the Middle East?president and chief executive officer Joseph Anis said, "The Taji power plant project reflects the Iraqi government?s commitment to provide reliable electricity to its people."
