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Indian power project takes shape in Iraq
Thursday, 02 January 2003, 20:30 IST
NEW DELHI: Even as the U.S. steps up its plans to attack Iraq, India's state-owned power equipment maker, the Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd. (BHEL), has set up its first major project in that power-deficit country.
A 159-MW gas turbine commissioned by the power major has started functioning at Baiji, home to major Iraqi refinery and located some 250 km north of the capital Baghdad.
Iraqi officials are effusive about the project, and BHEL is installing three more similar rating units at the Baiji power plant for Iraq's state-run General Company Electrical Projects at a cost of 
8.7 billion.
"The order for four 159-MW ISO rating gas turbine units, associated plant auxiliaries and complete plant engineering was the single largest order cleared by the U.N. for any country under the 'Oil for Food' programme," BHEL said in a statement here.
During the Gulf War, around 90 percent of Iraq's national power grid was damaged. Despite considerable renovation work by major international companies, there is still a huge gap between demand and supply for power in Iraq.
According to a U.N. report, Iraq's power deficit stood at 1,800 MW as of August 2000. Blackouts are a common occurrence in the country.
In 2001-02 fiscal, BHEL bagged another major order in Iraq for the supply, erection and commissioning of four gas turbine generators and auxiliaries of 123 MW each for the Rumaila open cycle power plant.
Rumaila has one of Iraq's largest active oil field.
"Both power plants (at Rumaila and Baiji) are being geared up to supply power to the national grid of Iraq," a BHEL official said.
BHEL is hopeful of bagging other projects in Iraq too. According to U.N. directives, Iraq can utilize money earned from the sale of limited crude oil to buy food and medicines and aid development projects.
"Based on the strength of our projects, we will be strong contenders for other projects in Iraq," the BHEL official said.
BHEL had earlier supplied a 123-MW ISO rating gas turbine unit for the Shenzhen Nanshan Power Station in China in a record time of four months.
"India has been very active in exports of food and electric and power equipment, and we hope to see more Indian participation, particularly in power projects," said Adday Al-Sakab, Iraq's commercial attaché.
Source: IANS
8.7 billion.
"The order for four 159-MW ISO rating gas turbine units, associated plant auxiliaries and complete plant engineering was the single largest order cleared by the U.N. for any country under the 'Oil for Food' programme," BHEL said in a statement here.
During the Gulf War, around 90 percent of Iraq's national power grid was damaged. Despite considerable renovation work by major international companies, there is still a huge gap between demand and supply for power in Iraq.
According to a U.N. report, Iraq's power deficit stood at 1,800 MW as of August 2000. Blackouts are a common occurrence in the country.
In 2001-02 fiscal, BHEL bagged another major order in Iraq for the supply, erection and commissioning of four gas turbine generators and auxiliaries of 123 MW each for the Rumaila open cycle power plant.
Rumaila has one of Iraq's largest active oil field.
"Both power plants (at Rumaila and Baiji) are being geared up to supply power to the national grid of Iraq," a BHEL official said.
BHEL is hopeful of bagging other projects in Iraq too. According to U.N. directives, Iraq can utilize money earned from the sale of limited crude oil to buy food and medicines and aid development projects.
"Based on the strength of our projects, we will be strong contenders for other projects in Iraq," the BHEL official said.
BHEL had earlier supplied a 123-MW ISO rating gas turbine unit for the Shenzhen Nanshan Power Station in China in a record time of four months.
"India has been very active in exports of food and electric and power equipment, and we hope to see more Indian participation, particularly in power projects," said Adday Al-Sakab, Iraq's commercial attaché.
Source: IANS