Global technology major Siemens has announced that its consortium with China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) has started work on a major power project in Iraq. 

 

The scope of work includes the rehabilitation of six Siemens gas generation units, each with a capacity of 169MW, reported Iraqi News Agency.

 

Once operational, the Second Beiji Gas Power Plant, located in the Salah Al Din Province of Iraq will boast a total 1.1GW capacity.

 

Speaking at the ground breaking ceremony, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al Sudani said the government has allocated the necessary financial resources to develop all sectors of electricity - generation, transmission, and distribution - in order to improve energy production across all regions of the country.

 

He lauded all the stakeholders for their efforts in the launch of this vital project, affirming that the energy sector is a cornerstone of any comprehensive development plan. 

 

Under this project, a load dispatching network, consisting of seven circuits at 400 kilovolts, will be established capable enough to feed six lines into the national grid, stated the Iraqi PM. 

 

Also a new 132-kilovolt facility, comprising 16 lines, will be built mainly to serve the residents of Salah Al Din province. 

 

The first two units are scheduled to be operational within 27 months, followed by the remaining units at a rate of one unit every two months, he added.