Accomplishments: Electricity
Restoring electricity to homes, public facilities and businesses is critical to the reestablishment of all facets of Iraqi society and is required for sustainable economic growth. Decades of operation without regular maintenance and repairs along with fuel shortages and vandalized transmission lines have severely delayed dependable power delivery in Iraq. Since the conflict, available electrical capacity has more than tripled, exceeding the pre-conflict generating level of 4,400 MW. Meeting a target of 6,000 MW is the next major benchmark for summer 2004, allowing for a stable supply of power that is required for economic growth as well as household consumption.
 Electrical distribution facility that is part of the Baghdad Electric Authority. Photo by Thomas Hartwell |
- Power generation in Iraq on October 6 peaked at 4,518 MW, surpassing the pre-war level of 4,400 MW. This achievement required engineers to make unexpected repairs on a system that is significantly more decrepit than originally expected.
- Necessary long-term repairs and scheduled maintenance are being made at generating plants throughout the country to build a sustainable power grid.
- As a result of the planned maintenance shutdowns, peak power production capacity has necessarily remained lower than the pre-war level of 4,400MW.
- Although in the short-term this maintenance decreases overall generation, it is a necessity for long-term power stability.
- Electricity crews are repairing thermal and gas turbine units. These repair activities are an essential component to achieve stable power generation as they increase efficiency, prevent failures, and increase outputs.
- Ministry of Electricity and USAID partners crews are:
- Rehabilitating boilers at Doura power plant in Baghdad.
- Providing technical personnel at key power stations to assist the Iraqi Commission of Electricity.
- Commissioning gas turbines at the Bayji Plant.
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