GE Vernova, Ministry of Electricity Retrofit Gas Turbines, Power Plants in Iraq

GE Vernova and Iraq’s Ministry of Electricity (MoE) completed upgrade, retrofit, and maintenance work at several power plants to enhance the national grid’s stability, capacity, and modernization. The broader upgrade project covers 46 gas turbines across 12 power plants and is expected to add up to 500 MW to Iraq’s grid. Participating plants include Ninawa, Al Diwaniyah, Hilla, Karbala, Shat Al Basra, and more:

• Najibiya
• Samawa
• Dhiqar
• Al Khairat
• Al Haidariya

These plants transitioned from heavy fuel oil to natural gas, increasing capacity by approximately 260 MW. Other plants are scheduled for modernization within summer 2025, adding up to 250 MW of power capacity.

"We are proud of this ongoing collaboration to support the Ministry of Electricity’s strategic objectives of enhancing power generation efficiency across Iraq and accelerating the nation’s energy transition efforts,” said Joseph Anis, President & CEO, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Gas Power at GE Vernova. “The timely completion of these projects is integral to GE Vernova's commitment to modernize Iraq's energy infrastructure and support the delivery of more efficient and more sustainable energy solutions.”

Service team at Ninawa power plant; image credit: GE Vernova

Upgrades & Maintenance

Under Iraq’s power modernization initiative, GE Vernova installed its advanced gas path (AGP) upgrades on 9.E gas turbines—for the Al-Quds and Dhiqar power plants—and MXLII upgrades on 13E2 gas turbines for the Al Mansouriya power plant, increasing output up to 6%. The improved capacity allows Iraq's MoE to generate additional electricity with the same amount of fuel.

The company also completed maintenance projects across several power plants with a total capacity of 3.7 GW, enhancing the long-term reliability and stability of the Qayyarah, Diwaniyah, Al-Haydariyah, and Baghdad South power plants.

Impact on Iraq

The new upgrades align with the MoE’s energy transition and modernization initiatives: improving its power generation infrastructure, meeting an increased power demand, and enhancing grid stability and capacity. GE Vernova’s work is expected to improve operational flexibility and boost output, efficiency, and availability of gas turbine assets.

“These diverse and comprehensive projects significantly advance our goals of expanding electricity generation and enhancing energy reliability, particularly during peak demand periods,” said Eng. Ziyad Ali Fadhil, Iraq’s Minister of Electricity. “The projects also focus on improving power plant efficiency and increasing output without increased fuel consumption, leading to less carbon emissions per amount of fuel consumed. Collaborating with GE Vernova is critical to achieving the Ministry's objectives and bolstering the nation's power sector.”

Over the past decade, GE Vernova has added up to 19,000 MW of power to Iraq’s national grid, significantly developing domestic energy infrastructure. The company also built 30 substations and completed the first phase of the electricity grid interconnection with Jordan.

More Iraq-GE Vernova News

In October 2024, GE Vernova and Mass Group Holding 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.