Iraq’s first IIP plant fired up

BAGHDAD, April 13, 2017 – The Baghdad Power Plant, also referred to as the Besmaya facility, has commenced simple-cycle operations, gas turbine provider GE and developer Mass Group Holding (MGH) announced this week.

The first independent power producer project to be carried out on a build-own-operate basis outside the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, the Baghdad Power Plant, once fully operational in 2018, will deliver 3 GW to the Iraqi grid.

“The Baghdad Power Plant in Besmaya is truly path-breaking as it is the first of its kind by the private sector in central and south Iraq. By adding power to the national grid, we are contributing to the growth of the economy, and meeting the aspirations of the people,” MGH chairman Ahmad Ismail said on Tuesday.

Combined with the installed capacity of plants in Dohuk, Erbil and Sulaymaniyah, MGH’s total power production in Iraq will reach 7 GW.

The facility in Besmaya currently runs on four GE 9F.03 heavy-duty gas turbines. The scope of GE’s contract also includes the supply of four D200 steam turbines. It additionally has a multi-year operations and maintenance contract for the site.

“The commercial operations of Baghdad Power Plant by Mass Group Holding using GE’s advanced equipment comes at a significant time, as we focus on strengthening Iraq’s electricity infrastructure to meet the growing needs of residents and various industries, Electricity Ministry spokesperson Musab Al Mudarres said in a reaction, adding that Iraqi would accelerate public-private partnership initiatives in the sector.

Engineering, procurement and construction work at Besmaya was carried out by Turkish contractor Enka, which also worked with MGH on its Kurdistan Region units.

GE and the ministry are working in plants in Samawa and Dhi Qar province, which are slated to begin simple-cycle operations in 2018. Once fully operational, the two facilities combined will add 1.5 GW to the grid.

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