- Taji Plant Adds 160 Megawatts of Critical Capacity to the Iraqi Grid
- Project Underscores GE's Commitment to Iraq's Continued Development
BAGHDAD, IRAQ-May 31, 2012-Featuring GE (NYSE:GE)
technology, the Taji Power Plant has become the newest
power project in the greater Baghdad area to begin
producing electricity to help Iraq's Ministry of
Electricity (MOE) meet the country's urgent energy needs.
The Iraq MOE has commissioned the new facility, located 20
kilometers northeast of Baghdad, which recently entered
commercial operation.
GE supplied four Frame 6B
Gas Turbines for the Taji plant, which is generating
enough electricity to support about 160,000 households. GE
also is supplying similar equipment for two other new power
plants in Hilla and Karbala. Those plants are expected to
enter service in 2012.
Concurrently, GE is supplying the Iraqi MOE an additional
56 gas turbines for projects across Iraq that are expected
to enter service from 2012. These will add more than 7,000
megawatts of electricity to support the expansion of the
country's energy infrastructure and help fuel future
economic growth.
"The successful startup of Taji signals the first steps in
fulfilling our continuous commitment to bring much needed,
reliable electricity to the people of Iraq," said His
Excellency Karim Aftan Aljumaily, Minister of Electricity,
Iraq. "This project also marks an important milestone in
our ongoing relationship with GE. Teaming with GE, one of
the world's leading suppliers of power generation
technology and services, is a cornerstone of our strategy
to enhance and expand our energy infrastructure."
"The Taji power plant project reflects the Iraqi
government's commitment to provide reliable electricity to
its people," said Joseph Anis, president and CEO, GE Energy
in the Middle East. "Working closely with the Ministry of
Electricity, we have been successful in executing on our
promise to deliver GE's advanced technology to ensure that
additional power is made available to the Greater Baghdad
area. This is a significant moment for GE in Iraq and
reinforces our growing commitment to the country, where we
have been active for nearly 40 years."
More than 1,100
GE Frame 6B Gas Turbines are operating worldwide, and
more than 170 units have been sold since 2006-approximately
two-thirds of them for oil and gas and industrial
applications.
GE has a long history of supporting the infrastructure
needs of Iraq in power generation, oil and gas, water
processing, aviation and healthcare. More than 130 GE power
turbines have been installed in the country to date. In
addition to supplying equipment and services for a wide
range of new power plant projects, GE continues to invest
in Iraq and increase its in-country presence. As part of
its plans for expansion in Iraq, GE has opened three
offices in the cities of Baghdad, Basra and Erbil.
About GE
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