Shanghai Electric Launches Major Power Efficiency Project in Iraq
Shanghai Electric has initiated a groundbreaking project aimed at transforming Iraq’s energy landscape. The Euphrates Combined Cycle Expansion Project, which recently commenced, seeks to enhance the efficiency of power plants across four provinces in Iraq: Najaf, Karbala, Babylon, and Al-Qadisiyyah. This initiative will introduce a substantial capacity increase of 625 Megawatts (MW) by modernizing existing simple-cycle facilities into combined cycle power plants. The upgrade is expected to bolster the overall efficiency of the power system by around 50%, generating an additional five billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity annually without raising fuel consumption.
The urgency of addressing Iraq’s long-standing energy crisis is evident. For over three decades, the nation has faced severe power shortages, primarily due to its significant reliance on gas for energy generation, coupled with an underdeveloped domestic gas sector. Consequently, Iraq finds itself in a precarious situation, often depending on imported gas, which poses challenges for economic recovery and affects the quality of life for its citizens.
Shanghai Electric’s expansion project, located along the Euphrates River, aims to tackle these pressing issues head-on. The use of advanced combined-cycle technology is a key feature of the proposal, ensuring that the existing high-temperature exhaust from gas turbines is efficiently reused. This process involves transferring exhaust gas through heat recovery steam generators, thereby producing high-pressure steam to power a new steam turbine for additional electricity generation. This innovative cycle not only boosts output but also improves efficiency without the need for more fuel, thus lowering thermal load on the existing systems.
The Iraqi Electricity Minister, Ziad Ali Fadel, emphasized the project’s strategic significance for enhancing Iraq’s power supply and optimizing power infrastructure. He stated that the project would effectively reduce Iraq’s dependence on gas imports and lower the fuel costs associated with electricity generation. The core components necessary for these upgrades have already arrived at the site in Karbala, which represents one of the first expansions of a combined cycle power plant in the country, exclusively utilizing Chinese equipment and standards.
Naseem Ayad, the project manager in Najaf, expressed optimism regarding the collaboration. He noted, "The Chinese technology allows us to repurpose high-temperature exhaust gases, thereby increasing generation capacity while reducing thermal stress on original machinery. This project is a benchmark for modernizing power generation in Iraq, reflecting the people's aspirations for reliable energy supply and improved living conditions."
As the project progresses, the collaboration between Chinese and Iraqi teams has garnered significant attention from both the government and the public. The anticipated completion of this expansion not only aims to enhance the local standard of living but also supports post-war reconstruction efforts and lays the groundwork for Iraq’s industrial revival and economic growth.
Shanghai Electric remains committed to promoting sustainable development along the Belt and Road Initiative and beyond, leveraging cutting-edge, efficient, and environmentally friendly energy technologies. For more details, visit their official website.
The urgency of addressing Iraq’s long-standing energy crisis is evident. For over three decades, the nation has faced severe power shortages, primarily due to its significant reliance on gas for energy generation, coupled with an underdeveloped domestic gas sector. Consequently, Iraq finds itself in a precarious situation, often depending on imported gas, which poses challenges for economic recovery and affects the quality of life for its citizens.
Shanghai Electric’s expansion project, located along the Euphrates River, aims to tackle these pressing issues head-on. The use of advanced combined-cycle technology is a key feature of the proposal, ensuring that the existing high-temperature exhaust from gas turbines is efficiently reused. This process involves transferring exhaust gas through heat recovery steam generators, thereby producing high-pressure steam to power a new steam turbine for additional electricity generation. This innovative cycle not only boosts output but also improves efficiency without the need for more fuel, thus lowering thermal load on the existing systems.
The Iraqi Electricity Minister, Ziad Ali Fadel, emphasized the project’s strategic significance for enhancing Iraq’s power supply and optimizing power infrastructure. He stated that the project would effectively reduce Iraq’s dependence on gas imports and lower the fuel costs associated with electricity generation. The core components necessary for these upgrades have already arrived at the site in Karbala, which represents one of the first expansions of a combined cycle power plant in the country, exclusively utilizing Chinese equipment and standards.
Naseem Ayad, the project manager in Najaf, expressed optimism regarding the collaboration. He noted, "The Chinese technology allows us to repurpose high-temperature exhaust gases, thereby increasing generation capacity while reducing thermal stress on original machinery. This project is a benchmark for modernizing power generation in Iraq, reflecting the people's aspirations for reliable energy supply and improved living conditions."
As the project progresses, the collaboration between Chinese and Iraqi teams has garnered significant attention from both the government and the public. The anticipated completion of this expansion not only aims to enhance the local standard of living but also supports post-war reconstruction efforts and lays the groundwork for Iraq’s industrial revival and economic growth.
Shanghai Electric remains committed to promoting sustainable development along the Belt and Road Initiative and beyond, leveraging cutting-edge, efficient, and environmentally friendly energy technologies. For more details, visit their official website.
Topics Energy）
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