GE Vernova, MGH Modernize Iraqi Plant with Advanced Gas Path Upgrades

At a ceremony held in Dubai, GE Vernova and Mass Group Holding (MGH) announced progress on the modernization of Iraq’s largest power plant—the 4.5 MW Besmaya Power Plant in Baghdad. GE Vernova completed Phase 1 AGP upgrades on four 9F.04 gas turbines and began Phase 2 AGP upgrades on four additional 9F.04 units. The companies also announced an eight-year services agreement to support Phase 3, which includes four GE Vernova 9F gas turbines. The Phase 3 service agreement was signed in Q2 2024 and adds to prior operations and maintenance and long-term service agreements secured by GE Vernova for Phases 1 and 2.

“For nearly two decades, GE Vernova has collaborated closely with Mass Group Holding in Iraq, supplying technology to four of the group’s power plants located in Besmaya, Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, and Dohuk,” said Joseph Anis, President and CEO of Gas Power at GE Vernova for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. “These facilities collectively contribute approximately 9 GW to Iraq’s power generation capacity. We have been working in Iraq for more than five decades and remain committed to supporting the transition to lower-carbon solutions. This also includes modernizing the grid, enabling the digital transformation of power generation and transmission.”

GE Vernova’s 9F AGP upgrades at Besmaya deliver operational flexibility, enhanced efficiency, and availability, as well as improved power output by up to 6%. It also increases fuel-consumption efficiency and extends asset lifespan. With Phase 2 completion expected in Q1 2025, the eight 9F turbines may reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 477,000 metric tons per year for the same level of power generation.

Besmaya combined-cycle power plant; image credit: ENKA

“The upgrades in Phase 1 of Besmaya Power Plant marked our first ever “Live Outage” in Iraq, a new digital approach that improves the field execution experience for our teams and our customers,” said Steve Kessinger, Vice President and CEO, GE Vernova’s Gas Power Global Services. “The service work, completed ahead of schedule, has significantly enhanced the efficiency and performance of the plant and we look forward to continuing our collaboration with Mass Group Holding to achieve even greater results.”

Over the past years, GE Vernova added up to 19 GW to Iraq’s grid, built and energized 30 substations, and completed the first phase of Iraq’s electrical grid connection with Jordan. The company obtained more than $3 billion in financing for energy projects and is investing in local development and workforce training. In collaboration with Iraq’s Ministry of Electricity and MGH, GE Vernova aims to advance the country’s energy sector and support economic development.

“Besmaya power plant, in collaboration with Iraq’s Ministry of Electricity, is crucial in providing electricity to the people of Iraq and various commercial and industrial sectors,” said Ahmed Ismail Saleh, Chairman of Mass Group Holding. “We are committed to further enhancing efficiency, flexibility, and sustainability in Iraq’s energy sector. This modernization project is in line with the Iraqi Ministry of Electricity’s strategic plans to provide more reliable and more sustainable electricity, which is essential for the country’s economic development.”

GE Vernova, Kansai Electric

This week, the Kansai Electric Power Co. ordered three GE Vernova 7HA.03 gas turbines to be installed at the Nanko power station in Osaka, Japan. The 7HA.03 equipment will replace aging conventional LNG power generation assets, consisting of three boilers and three steam turbines. It will increase power plant efficiency and reduce CO₂ emissions, and, in addition, GE Vernova will provide field services.