ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A Chinese state-owned company operating in Iraq said Monday that several power plants under construction are expected to come online in summer, adding more than 1,200 megawatts to Iraq’s national grid as the country struggles to meet rising power demand.
“The company is currently building gas-fired power plants that will enter service next summer and will add around 1,000 megawatts to the national grid,” Ahmed al-Amin, regional director of Shanghai Electric, told Iraqi state media.
He added that the company is also upgrading the al-Haritha station in southern Basra province and the Wasit station in eastern Wasit province. Haritha station is expected to add about 220 megawatts, while Wasit is projected to add around 2,520 megawatts.
Iraqi electricity ministry spokesperson Ahmed Mousa told Rudaw on Sunday that Iraq expects a generation deficit of around 42,000 megawatts during the summer, with overall demand projected to reach 60,000 megawatts.