GE Vernova reveals strategic initiatives to strengthen Iraq’s power sector

GE Vernova has announced a raft of strategic initiatives with Iraq aimed at boosting power generation and enhancing supply availability across the country. These included a letter of intent signed in the US capital with the Iraqi Ministry of Electricity (MoE) that pledged to inject an additional 3GW of energy into the grid, generated by highly efficient combined cycle power plants.

The announcement came on the sidelines of a visit by Iraqi Prime Minister HE Mohammed Shia’a Al-Sudani’s to Washington for a meeting with US President Joe Biden.

Modernising Iraqi energy system

The initiatives reflect a joint Iraq government and GE Vernova vision to collaborate in order to strengthen and modernise the Middle East nation’s power infrastructure, enable transition to a lower carbon energy future, and promote its economic development.

In 2023, the company and the MoE signed Principles of Cooperation to explore opportunities to increase power capacity and establish new power plants.

The MoE and GE Vernova have reiterated commitment to move forward with the conversion of two Iraq sites, Samawa and Nasiriya, from simple to combined cycle, as well as to expand capacity at Al Mansouria gas power plant.

Delivering progress

Also among the initiatives is a five-year services and upgrade agreement with the MoE to enhance the availability and efficiency of 70-plus turbines and generators at 18 power plants, with total capacity up to 7.5GW.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with Iraq’s Ministry of Oil will explore accelerated use of flared gas to boost power generation.

Ranked among the top gas flaring countries globally, this element provides Iraq with a pathway to future joint projects aimed at significantly reducing pollution and health hazards associated with flaring, while generating additional power.

Meeting growth with power

HE Zeyad Ali Fadhil, Iraq’s Minister of Electricity, welcomed the initiatives as a milestone in continued efforts to strengthen his country’s national power infrastructure.

“As electricity demand in Iraq grows, we continue to work with leading companies like GE Vernova to ensure the power needs of residents and industrial users are met in a timely manner through advanced gas power generation technologies, on-time servicing and maintenance of energy infrastructure, and an accelerated use of flared gas, in collaboration with the Ministry of Oil.”

The minister cited how, in preparation for peak summer demand, the MoE and the company had completed the MXL2 upgrade of two GE Vernova 13E2 gas turbines at Al Mansouria power plant (total capacity up to 266MW).

Company’s Iraq legacy

GE Vernova also plans to set up a Monitoring and Diagnostics centre for continuous monitoring of core power assets across 18 sites powered by its 9E gas turbines. Expected to be operated by MoE personnel, it will be designed to help mitigate operational risks, reduce unplanned outage costs, and enable Iraqi talent development.

GE Vernova’s strong legacy of assisting development of Iraq’s energy sector includes adding about 19GW of capacity in just over a decade, completing up to 30 substations, as well as phase one interconnection with Jordan’s grid, inaugurated by the Iraqi government last month.

Continued commitment

Joseph Anis, President & CEO of GE Vernova’s Gas Power business in Europe, Middle East, and Africa, said the firm in 2021 proposed a 10-point strategy to help accelerate Iraq’s energy transition, including measures featured in the announcements.

“These reflect our commitment to keep driving progress for the Iraqi people,” he said. “We aim to continue to work closely with the government and other stakeholders to help deliver more affordable, reliable, and lower carbon power that supports the growing needs of citizens and faster, more sustainable economic development, to the benefit of present and future generations.”