Further upgrades include the installation of GE Vernova’s Advanced Gas Path. (Image source: GE Vernova)

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.”

A major selling point of the HYPR Energy solution is its sustainability. (Image source: Positive Zero)

In a conversation with Technical Review Middle East, Stanislav Betin, the general manager of HYPR Energy, a Positive Zero company, provided an in-depth overview of their innovative mobile battery system designed to power construction sites. A key focus was how these batteries are powered by renewable energy.

 Betin explained the evolution of their electric power unit (EGPU), starting with a 175 kWh battery and upgrading to a 423 kWh battery mounted on a trailer. As he noted, "It's very mobile. We can bring it anywhere. We can mobilise the site within three to four hours." This mobility is a crucial advantage, allowing the system to be quickly deployed at construction sites.

A major selling point of the HYPR Energy solution is its sustainability. Betin emphasised that the system is "zero noise emitting, zero CO₂ emitting" and often cheaper than traditional diesel generators. He explained how the company leverages its access to solar infrastructure, stating, "We also couple this product with our access to solar infrastructure across Dubai. We have 500+ different projects, and we are using the credits from those projects, which are accumulated over time. And we use those credits about the batteries. So we try to have this like a circular economy, omitting CO₂ emission at every possible stage."

A data-driven approach

The real-time monitoring and fleet management capabilities of the system were also highlighted. As Betin noted, "Every element of our system, either the charger, battery, a port, even a truck, is IoT connected. So we see the real time location, and we also see all the key parameters for that specific element, like the state of charge and state of health." This data-driven approach allows the company to optimise operations and predict maintenance needs.

Betin acknowledged that the company faces some challenges in scaling up and quickly introducing their mobile battery system to the market. As he explained, "The challenge currently is the speed at which we should introduce the batteries to the market.”

^{Whenever peak power is required, the battery can sustain up to 250 kilowatt output}

He noted that the temporary nature of construction sites requires frequent demobilisation and remobilisation of the battery systems, which adds complexity compared to more permanent solar installations. Betin said the company is working to address this by targeting clients with longer-term construction projects, up to 28 months, to provide more consistent service.

Despite these challenges, Betin expressed confidence in the company's ability to scale up, stating their plans to expand the battery fleet significantly this year, with new batches arriving in the coming weeks. He emphasised the strong demand they are seeing, driven by the booming construction sector and companies' focus on sustainability targets.

The Battery Show will showcase game-changing battery technology. (Image source: Informa Markets)

The 49th Middle East Energy trade show will run from 7-9 April across 16 DWTC halls – two more than the previous edition. The additional space will include a host of new features, including a sixth product sector – Battery & eMobility – and a dedicated hall for exhibitors within the battery and eMobility space.

“Middle East Energy has always been at the forefront of innovation, and 2025 is no exception,” said Mark Ring, group exhibition director for the energy portfolio at Informa Markets.

With our expanded footprint, showcasing regional and global market-leading products and services, the addition of The Battery Show, and a strong line-up of conferences, Middle East Energy 2025 is set to redefine how we address the region’s energy needs and promises to power the future, connect innovators, and drive meaningful change across the entire spectrum of the global energy landscape from a single location.

The event will be held under the patronage of the UAE Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure, reinforcing it as a cornerstone of innovation and collaboration in the energy industry, and underlining its commitment to fostering collaboration, driving advancements, and supporting the Middle East and Africa’s energy transition.

Battery show debuts with entire hall takeover

Spanning an entire hall, this 13-year-old global platform – The Battery Show will showcase game-changing battery technology and powerful solutions. Bringing together engineers, business leaders, industry leading companies, and disruptors.

The Battery Show Conference will dive into crucial topics such as the impact of electrification on the automotive sector, advanced materials for electric vehicle manufacturing, and alternative battery technologies, offering attendees a rare chance to connect with industry thought leaders.

The exhibition’s expansive knowledge programme will host six CPD-accredited, free-to-attend conferences. They are: The Middle East Energy Leadership Summit; the Technical Seminar; Intersolar & ees Middle East Conference; Global Innovation Forum; Africa Business Leaders Forum; and The Battery Show Conference.

The 2025 event has also accrued an impressive line-up of major sponsors, including Alfanar, The Riyadh Cables Group, Baudouin, MEMF, Bahra Electric, Ducab, Su-Kam, Al Ojaimi, LTC Group, Eastman, Riello UPS, Jeddah Cables Company, and AquaVolt Solutions.

To find out more about Middle East Energy, visit: www.middleeast-energy.com

To register for Middle East Energy, visit: https://middleeast-energy.me/4jduIT1

Egypt is looking to expand its share of renewables in the energy mix. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

China’s Envision Energy is to supply turbines for a 1.1GW onshore wind farm project now being built by Suez Wind Energy in Egypt

Construction starts in January 2025, with full commercial operations anticipated by 2027.

Suez Wind Energy is a joint venture that groups Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power with HAU Energy.

Financing for the wind energy project is supported by lenders including the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the African Development Bank and the French infrastructure fund Meridiam.

In a statement, Envision Energy said the project will enhance Egypt’s renewable capacity, supporting the country and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region’s energy transition and sustainable development goals.

It will feature 138 of Envision Energy’s state-of-the-art 8MW wind turbines, designed for high wind speeds and sandy environments and include 25 years of long-term maintenance services, ensuring optimal performance and reliability throughout its lifespan.

The project is set to become one of the largest wind farms across the whole MENA region.

"We are thrilled to be part of this transformative project in Egypt. By leveraging our cutting-edge turbine technology and industry-leading supply chain integration, this project will set a new standard for large-scale wind energy in the MENA region," said Kane Xu, senior vice-president and president of international product lines at Envision Energy.

“As the world accelerates its transition to cleaner energy, this project highlights the power of innovation and collaboration to scale sustainability. It underscores our commitment to delivering tailored solutions that meet the unique challenges of renewable energy deployment in diverse environments.”

Envision Energy's 8MW platform turbines are customisable with different blade configurations and hub heights to optimise energy capture in diverse conditions.

The company said it would draw on its vertical supply chain integration and in-house development and manufacturing of critical components to deliver the turbines to the project.

Additionally, the use of Envision's Galileo system, which analyses real-time wind data to define precise load conditions for component- and system-level testing, ensures unmatched performance, it added in a statement.

The project also marks a significant milestone in the MENA region's clean energy journey. It is currently Egypt’s (and Africa’s) largest wind energy project. When complete, it will increase Egypt’s total wind capacity by 70% and push its share of renewables to 42% of total energy by 2030.

“It will enhance Egypt’s renewable energy infrastructure, attract further investment, drive innovation and create job opportunities,” the statement read. “By setting a new benchmark for large-scale renewable energy projects, the wind farm underscores Envision Energy's commitment to advancing the global energy transition and lays the foundation for future collaborations worldwide.”

The ACWA Power consortium has signed a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC), with a total investment value of US$1.5bn for the development, construction and operation of the project. EETC will act as the sole off-taker for the venture, which is located in Suez Gulf and Gabal El Zeit province near Ras Gharib city.

When complete, the plant will be capable of powering more than a million homes, while offsetting nearly 2.4 million tons of emissions per year.