China-based Shanghai Electric has been awarded a USD 1 billion contract by Iraq’s Ministry of Electricity for building a power generating plant to boost Iraq’s electricity capacity by 1320MW. The planned steam power plant in the town of Zubaidiya near the city of Kut, 150km southeast of Baghdad, is seen as one of the biggest power projects in the country. The project, which includes purchasing and installing four steam turbines, each with a capacity of 330MW, will provide Iraq with a big power increase over the next four years. Work to install those units started earlier this month and the first unit is expected to operate after three years.
