Iraq’s cabinet has approved opportunities for investment for up to 6,000MW of new power capacity, said Electricity Minister Karim Aftan Al-Jumaili, speaking at the recent MEED Iraq Energy Projects conference.
Minister Al-Jumaili told delegates that 21,000MW of new power capacity was planned in order to meet forecasted capacity in the coming years.
Al-Jumaili also highlighted opportunities in converting existing power plants from simple open-cycle to the more energy efficient combined-cycle technology.
In addition to building a new generation capacity and improving transmission and distribution networks, the minister also spoke of the government’s plans to introduce legislation to reduce wastage in the energy sector. As part of efforts to make plants more efficient, the ministry plans to reduce the use of crude oil in power generations, and switch to gas turbines in all plants.
For the original February 28, 2014 piece from Trade Arabia referenced in this summary, click here.