The Iraqi Ministry of Electricity and GE Power's Grid Solutions business celebrated the energization of the Baghdad West North substation, GE announced Wednesday.
Located about 35 kilometers away from the Iraqi capital, the substation can help connect up to 1,000 megawatts (MW) to the national grid, decreasing bottlenecks and increasing the hours of available power, a statement read.
According to the press release, GE’s scope of work for the turnkey 400/132/11 kilovolt (kV) gas-insulated substation project included the design, equipment manufacturing, site delivery, erection, testing and commissioning, and training of personnel.
The project’s construction, erection, commissioning, and testing was completed by GE Iraqi engineers in collaboration with local subcontractors.
'The facility can feed 132 kV 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,' the statement said.
Speaking at the event, Iraqi Minister of Electricity Luay Al-Khateeb said the opening of the Baghdad West North substation reflects the Ministry's efforts to provide reliable, uninterrupted power across the country.
'The substation will play a critical role in helping to deliver much-needed power, especially in the upcoming summer months,' he added.
Mohammed Mohaisen, president and CEO of GE Power's Grid Solutions business in the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey, said GE would continue to support the Iraqi government in building a stable electricity network that meets their needs.
Following the agreement for the Baghdad West North substation, GE also signed a $400 million 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 will connect power plants spread across the governorates of Ninawa, Salah Al Din, Al Anbar, Karbala, Baghdad, Qadisiyyah and Basra to the national grid, the company said, noting several of the locations, in conflict-affected areas, had an immediate need of reliable power infrastructure.
By Hale Turkes
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr