Reuters reported that Canada's SNC Lavalin Group and Iraqi owned URUK Engineering Services have each won an USD 85 million contract to install gas turbines in local power stations.

The cabinet has approved a contract for SNC Lavalin to install turbines in the town of Hilla, 100 kilometers south of Baghdad with 2 units that each will have a capacity of 125 MW.

Mr Ali al Dabbagh spokesman said that the implementation period shall not exceed 18 months. URUK had won a contract to build a power plant at Taji on the northern outskirts of Baghdad with 4 units capable of generating 40 MW each in the next 15 months.

Iraq is trying to repair its inadequate generating capacity, ravaged by sanctions and war which currently fails to provide more than a few hours of electricity per day for its citizens.

Baghdad has signed multi billion dollar deals for gas turbines with GE and Siemens, aiming to add 12,000 MW of capacity over the next few years. Those deals have been held back by financing problems but appear to be going ahead.

Iraq's current electricity capacity is around 7,500 MW compared with an estimated demand of 12,000 MW. Intermittent power is a chief complaint of Iraqis as violence remains lower than it has been for years.

(Sourced from Reuters)