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By John Lee.

Iraq has inaugurated a 162-MW power station designed and built by Iran's MAPNA Group in the Heidarieh [Haidariya] district, some 25 km north of Najaf.

Iran's PressTV reports that the opening ceremony on Thursday was attended by the Iranian and Iraqi energy ministers.

According to the report, Iran's Energy Minister, Hamid Chitchian, said his country is prepared to promote "all-out relations" with Iraq, especially in the electricity sector.

Iran's annual electricity exports to Iraq are valued at one billion dollars, with Baghdad importing 1,300 MW of electricity from Iran.

(Source: PressTV)

By John Lee.

Iraq’s Minister of Electricity, Qasim Mohammad Abid Hammadi al-Fahadawi [Qassim al-Fahdawi] held a meeting with the French Ambassador to Iraq, Marc Barety, on Sunday.

The Ambassador congratulated the Minister on his new role, and assured the Minister of the full support of the French government and private sector companies in the development of Iraq's electricity infrastructure.

(Source: Ministry of Electricity)

By Robert Tollast.

“How is electricity?”, I asked. “Excellent” replied Marwan, a young student of Physics at the University of Dhi Qar. Marwan (not his real name) is studying wireless transmission, and one of his lecturers is currently in Leicester studying with a British Council initiative to bolster the academic capacity of Iraqi universities.

Will Marwan’s lecturer return to find his university campus an empty bullet scarred shell? This might have been the case in southern Iraq in the spring uprising of 1991, or in 2003 as US Marines fought through the town of Nasiriyah.

Today, across the Kurdish region of Iraq and many areas of the expansive south, violence is often in the forefront of peoples’ minds, but this is mostly because Iraq is a nation at war. Countless Iraqis have volunteered to fight ISIL in what must surely seem like another tragic episode in a long, tragic history.

Incredible as it may seem, the war is actually quite far away for approximately 7 million Iraqi Arabs and Kurds. And their local leaders have set their sights on business, as much as the war on ISIL. Of course, local momentum isn’t much without a coordinating strategy at the national level. For the first time in decades, Iraq might have found the man to coordinate such a strategy.

Nonetheless, there can be no doubt that since June this year Iraq has confronted an existential crisis. But it is a crisis that Iraq can survive. And while it would be naive if not impossible to gloss over the tragedy that Iraq is enduring, we need to look at the whole country - a country almost the size of France, to get the full picture.

We could even allow a little room for optimism, firstly because there are vast, heavily populated areas of Iraq that are effectively walled off from ISIL. These areas host the country's only “skyscraper” style office buildings, expanding ports and the super giant oil fields that are crucial for supporting the global economy.

A second reason for a modicum of hope is that in the centre and north of the country, ISIL are being challenged by a growing (albeit peculiar) coalition. History shows us that strange coalitions are not barred from victory. On the contrary, they are essential to victory.

In terms of the geographical limits to this current terrorist blitzkrieg, think of Stalin’s tank factories that were located east of Moscow, out of reach of Hitler’s bombers, or Washington in 1864, impregnable to Confederate assaults.

Basra and Nasiriyah are similarly insulated from terrorist activity, and as long as this situation remains Iraq will probably weather this storm. The Iraqi army’s recent victory at Jurf al Sakhar is solid evidence that if anything, the approaches to the south are looking more secure than ever.

By John Lee.

Iranian companies are reported to be implementing water and electricity projects in Iraq worth over $1.3 billion (1.5 trillion Iraqi dinars).

According to an article from Trend, an Iranian Energy Ministry official said Iranian companies were currently working on 31 projects in Iraq in these sectors, and added that he expects more Iranian companies to invest in water and electricity projects in Iraq in the future.

The Iranian ambassador to Iraq, Hassan Danayeefar [Hassan Danae Fer] (pictured), is reported to have said in April that Iran exports 80 percent of its technical and engineering services to Iraq, and that the Iraqi market could absorb $500 billion worth of investment in that sector.

(Source: Trend)

By John Lee.

Iraq's new Minister of Electricity, Qasim Mohammad Abid Hammadi al-Fahadawi [Qassim al-Fahdawi] (pictured), is to travel to Iran on Tuesday to hold talks on electricity imports.

At a meeting with his Iranian counterpart, Hamid Chitchian, the Minister will also discuss the expansion of economic ties between Tehran and Baghdad.

In 2013, the two sides agreed to increase electricity exports from Iran to Iraq by 500 megawatts.

Tasnim News Agency reports that Iranian companies have so far completed 10 projects in Iraq in the area of water and electricity, and another 27 projects valued at $1.245 billion (1.45 trillion Iraqi dinars) are still in progress.

(Source: Tasnim News Agency)

From Amnesty International.

Shi’a militias, supported and armed by the government of Iraq, have abducted and killed scores of Sunni civilians in recent months and enjoy total impunity for these war crimes, said Amnesty International in a new briefing published today.

Absolute Impunity: Militia Rule in Iraq provides harrowing details of sectarian attacks carried out by increasingly powerful Shi’a militias in Baghdad, Samarra and Kirkuk, apparently in revenge for attacks by the armed group that calls itself the Islamic State (IS). Scores of unidentified bodies have been discovered across the country handcuffed and with gunshot wounds to the head, indicating a pattern of deliberate execution-style killings.

“By granting its blessing to militias who routinely commit such abhorrent abuses, the Iraqi government is sanctioning war crimes and fuelling a dangerous cycle of sectarian violence that is tearing the country apart. Iraqi government support for militia rule must end now,” said Donatella Rovera, Amnesty International’s Senior Crisis Response Adviser.

The fate of many of those abducted by Shi'a militias weeks and months ago remains unknown. Some captives were killed even after their families had paid ransoms of $80,000 and more to secure their release.

Salem, a 40-year-old businessman and father of nine from Baghdad was abducted in July. Two weeks after his family had paid the kidnappers a $60,000 ransom, his body was found in Baghdad’s morgue; with his head crushed and his hands still cuffed together.

The growing power of Shi’a militias has contributed to an overall deterioration in security and an atmosphere of lawlessness. The relative of one victim from Kirkuk told Amnesty International:

“I have lost one son and don’t want to lose any more. Nothing can bring him back and I can’t put my other children at risk. Who knows who will be next? There is no rule of law, no protection.”

Among the Shi’a militias believed to be behind the string of abductions and killings are: ‘Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq, the Badr Brigades, the Mahdi Army, and Kata’ib Hizbullah.

These militias have further risen in power and prominence since June, after the Iraqi army retreated, ceding nearly a third of the country to IS fighters. Militia members, numbering tens of thousands, wear military uniforms, but they operate outside any legal framework and without any official oversight.

GE (NYSE: GE) has signed a contract with ENKA to supply power generation equipment for a new 750-megawatt (MW) combined-cycle plant being developed by Qaiwan Group in Iraq.

GE will provide four 9E gas turbines and one steam turbine for a new power plant in Sulaimaniyah to support the government’s goal of strengthening the electricity infrastructure in the Kurdistan region.

GE has played a key role in supporting the region’s focus on providing uninterrupted power for its people and driving industrial growth. Through its regional partnerships, GE’s turbines support more than 90 percent of the electricity generated in the Kurdistan region, supplying nearly 20 hours of electricity a day.

The new power plant in Bazyan marks the fourth power project that GE is supporting with its heavy-duty gas turbine technologies in the region.

The Erbil, Sulaiymaniyah and Dohuk plants, powered by 24 GE 9E gas turbines, produce more than 3,000 MW, the equivalent to the required annual energy needs of approximately 3 million households in Iraq. The Bazyan plant will help deliver power to an additional 750,000 households.

Saad Hassan, CEO of Qaiwan Company, said:

“The Bazyan power plant is expected to address the growing demand for power in the Kurdistan region. Our objective is to enhance its operations through a combined-cycle plant with reliable and advanced technologies that contribute to greater efficiency in the long run. GE’s gas and steam turbines are an ideal fit to our requirements.”

Fehmi Bayramoglu, member of the executive committee, ENKA said:

“The Bazyan project is one of our key contracts in the region, which we are committed to developing as per an aggressive project schedule. Having worked with GE on three earlier projects in the region, we are confident of the additional value that the company’s technologies bring to the project.”

Mohammed Mohaisen, CEO, GE Power Generation Products and Services Sales, Middle East and North Africa said:

“With over 40 years of presence in Iraq, GE is committed to supporting its developmental goals to build a strong electricity infrastructure. Our contract for the Bazyan power plant is the fourth with ENKA in this region, highlighting the trust of our partners in delivering advanced technologies that strengthen the efficiency of power projects. GE’s gas and steam turbines will assist in enhancing plant operations that support the rapidly growing industrial area of Bazyan.”

(Source: GE)

By John Lee.

Iraq's Electricity Minister, Qassim Fahdawi [Qassim al-Fahdawi], has met the American ambassador Stuart E Jones to discuss the participation of American companies in developing the country's electricity infrastructure.

In addition to possible new sources of gas for electricity generation, the Minister also pointed out the opportunities available in renewable energy, including solar and wind.

The meeting as also attended by the Chairman of Anbar Provincial Council.

(Source: Ministry of Electricity)

This article was originally published by Niqash. Any opinions expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News.

Spokesman For Iraqi Kurdish Govt: ‘New US Airbase in Erbil No Threat To Iran’

NIQASH interviewed Safeen Dizayee, the spokesperson for the government of semi-autonomous Iraqi Kurdistan. During a candid and wide ranging conversation, Dizayee spoke about why the US is building a new airbase in the region, where exactly Iraqi Kurdish oil is going and whether refugees in the region are being maltreated.

Over the past few months, Iraqi Kurdistan has come under attack from Sunni Muslim extremists in the group known as the Islamic State, it has become home to over a million refugees and it has also been subject to a “financial blockade” by the Iraqi government in Baghdad.

NIQASH held a wide-ranging conversation with Safeen Dizayee, the spokesperson for the Iraqi Kurdish government in the semi-autonomous northern region and a member of the region’s biggest political party, the Kurdish Democratic Party.

The conversation covered everything from the establishment of a new US air base in Iraqi Kurdistan to whether Iraqi Kurdish authorities were discriminating against Arab refugees. He also discussed whether Iranian and Turkish reactions to Iraq’s security crisis were adequate as well as where exactly Iraqi Kurdish oil was being exported to, and how much of it was going there.

Dizayee also commented on whether Iraqi Kurdish authorities might be getting any closer to resolving their long standing disputes with the government in Baghdad, especially now there is a new Prime Minister in charge.

The conversation has been split into three parts for ease of reading.

On US Plans To Build Air Base in Erbil

NIQASH: Apparently the US has also decided to build a military base – maybe more than one – in Iraqi Kurdistan. What can you tell us about this?

Safeen Dizayee: Discussions are continuing about the specifics of this issue. Nothing has happened on the ground as yet.

NIQASH: Would this base be a substitute to the nearest US base, the Incirlik Air Base in Turkey?

Dizayee: No. Incirlik Air Base is a NATO base and it will remain so. The prospective air base in Erbil is in order to confront the IS group in the nearby area.

NIQASH: Do you think that the Iranians will see this as a threat to their influence in the region?

Dizayee: Incirlik Air Base and other US military bases in the Gulf States - in places like Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates – are also close to Iran. The base to be built in Erbil is all about fighting the IS group, not about confronting Iran, or any other country, in any way. We have stressed time and again that we don’t want Iraqi Kurdistan to become a battlefield for major powers in the region.

By John Lee.

Crompton Greaves Ltd (CG), part of the Indian company Avantha Group, has announced a $25-million new contract win for the design, construction and delivery of 16 mobile electrical substations.

The order was placed by the General Directorate for Transmission, Upper Euphrates Region, Ministry of Electricity in Iraq.

The key deliverables are engineering and supply of 16 mobile substations containing 31.5 MVA transformers delivered by CG’s Power Transformer factory in Hungary, auxiliary/earthing units manufactured in the Distribution Transformer factory in Belgium and control and protection equipment provided by CG’s Automation arm ZIV. Integration and assembly work for the project will be concluded at the CG factory in Belgium.

The suite of mobile substations will be flexibly deployed throughout Iraq for utilities and industries to provide interim grid connections and temporary power supplies. CG’s short-track delivery of mobile units allows flexible use in the Iraqi grid.

Typically its applications would range from power supply during emergency or planned outages, to moving loads, and the integration of distributed or renewable generation. Delivery is expected to be completed by September 2015.

The Ministry of Electricity in Iraq selected CG to execute this project on account of an enduring business trust and in recognition of CG’s high quality, reliable T&D products. CG has a successful track record of providing reliable mobile substations and conventional (Gas Insulated Switchgear/Air Insulated Switchgear) substations to the Middle East region and has the reputation of being one of the leading manufacturers of mobile substations, worldwide

Commenting on the order, Avantha Group Company CG’s CEO and Managing Director, Laurent Demortier (pictured), said:

“We thank the Ministry of Electricity, Iraq, for renewing their trust in us. CG has a long-established business foundation in Iraq for over 25 years.

"Combining our global technology, engineering expertise and strong local presence, we have positioned Iraq as a strategically important market, for a wide range of projects in electric power and other industries. We are pleased to continue supporting the country’s growth and development.”

(Source: CG)