19.November
Iraq’s Ministry of Electricity and GE Vernova Advance Grid Modernization to Meet Growing Energy Needs
- Energization of Five 132 kV Substations Completed Ahead of Schedule
- Four More Substations to Be Operational by Summer 2025
The Iraqi Ministry of Electricity (MoE) and GE Vernova Inc. (NYSE: GEV) have successfully energized five critical 132 kV substations across Iraq, marking a major milestone in the country’s efforts to enhance its electricity infrastructure. The project, aimed at boosting grid stability and efficiency, is part of a broader collaboration to energize 10 substations. Once completed, these substations will increase Iraq’s transmission capacity by 2,200 MVA, providing electricity to approximately 300,000 households or 1 million residents.
Accelerating Infrastructure Upgrades
The newly energized substations—Al Hindia, Al Sader, Al Qaim Saada, North Baqubah, and Yaramja South—were delivered in less than two years. Notably, the North Baqubah and Yaramja South substations were completed around six months ahead of schedule, in August and September 2024, respectively. Construction at Rasafa Center is in its final stages and will be energized shortly.
The next phase includes the completion of four additional 132 kV substations: North Najaf, North Karbala, North Diwaniya, and Aredo, scheduled for summer 2025. Together, these substations will significantly enhance Iraq’s transmission grid, supporting growing energy demands while enabling interconnection with Jordan’s power grid for more stable electricity supply.
Transforming Iraq’s Power Infrastructure
Over the last decade, GE Vernova has played a pivotal role in modernizing Iraq’s energy sector. The company has built and energized 30 substations, including five 400 kV substations in Al Khairat, Nainawa, Mansouriya, Mosul East, Al Fao, and Baghdad Northwest, as well as four 132 kV substations in Dohuk, Kurdistan.
Ziad Ali Fadhil, Iraq’s Minister of Electricity, emphasized: “Collaborating with globally recognized companies like GE Vernova is vital for modernizing Iraq’s electricity grid. The early completion of these substations is a testament to the dedication of our teams and represents a crucial step in ensuring grid stability and meeting the growing electricity demands of our population.”
GE Vernova’s Commitment to Sustainability
Johan Bindele, Leader of GE Vernova’s Grid Systems Integration business, highlighted the broader impact of these projects: “Our advanced substation solutions are not only stabilizing the grid but also driving Iraq toward a more reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy future.”
Rasheed Janabi, President of GE Vernova in Iraq, added: “This milestone aligns with our comprehensive strategy to provide advanced technologies, lower-carbon energy solutions, and workforce training for the benefit of Iraq’s present and future generations.”
Strengthening the Grid with Global Expertise
GE Vernova has supplied gas-insulated substations (GIS) from its facilities in France and Switzerland, high-voltage transformers from Turkey and the UK, and protection and control panels from the UAE and UK. These advanced systems have been installed by GE Vernova’s Iraqi engineers, reflecting the company’s commitment to leveraging local talent.
Beyond grid modernization, GE Vernova has added 19,000 MW of power generation capacity to Iraq, mobilized over $3 billion in financing for energy projects, and established a Monitoring and Diagnostics (M&D) Center to enable real-time monitoring of core power assets. This initiative aims to reduce unplanned outages and build capacity through the training of Iraqi engineers.
Looking to the Future
With a name rooted in its mission, “GE Vernova” combines “GE,” a mark of quality, with “Ver” for green ecosystems and “Nova” for innovation. The company’s goal is to lead the energy transition by electrifying the world and decarbonizing the energy landscape, ensuring a reliable and sustainable future for communities worldwide.
This commitment aligns with the shared vision of GE Vernova and Iraq’s Ministry of Electricity to power economies and improve the quality of life through transformative energy solutions.