The COP Collection
Modernizing Iraq’s energy system while reducing carbon intensity
The Besmaya power plant is the largest in Iraq. Recent upgrades there have resulted in greater fuel efficiency, increasing output while reducing emissions for the same level of power generation. In a country with a high carbon intensity for electricity, and where access to reliable electricity remains a priority, the project is a significant contribution to the modernization of Iraq’s energy system. We take a look at how it was delivered and the bigger implications for the energy transition in Iraq.
The Besmaya 4.5 GW Power Plant, The Republic of Iraq
“Having seen all the modernization and development that is taking place in Baghdad and across The Republic of Iraq, the upgrading of the energy infrastructure is vital to support continued development.”
Joseph Anis, President and CEO, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, Gas Power, GE Vernova
Providing access to more reliable electricity
There is a need for increased access to reliable electricity in Iraq to meet the needs of a growing population and to power economic growth. In the peak summer months, when temperatures can reach 50°C and the use of electricity increases, demand can exceed supply. Citizens often turn to neighborhood diesel generators, which are polluting, noisy and costly. The development of modern hospitals, universities, schools and malls is also increasing the demand for reliable electricity. The Iraqi Ministry of Electricity’s strategy is focused on increasing energy production, improving access to more reliable and sustainable electricity, and reducing carbon intensity. Achieving the strategy requires the development of additional lower carbon electricity generation capacity, and modernization of transmission and distribution systems. At the same time, it is crucial to regularly maintain and upgrade the existing infrastructure, in order to improve its performance.
Upgrading for increased output and fuel efficiency while reducing emissions
The 4.5 GW Besmaya power plant, located near Baghdad, is the largest power plant in Iraq and supplies a significant amount of generating capacity in the country. It is a private sector plant, owned and operated by Mass Group Holding (MGH), supplying power to the Ministry of Electricity grid. It is a combined cycle set up with 12 GE Vernova 9F gas turbines and six steam turbines.
2024 saw GE Vernova complete Phase 1 of Advanced Gas Path (AGP) upgrades on four 9F.04 gas turbines and, in the fourth quarter, begin Phase 2 upgrades on an additional four turbines, which are expected to be completed before the summer of 2025. The optimized performance from the upgrades on the eight turbines is expected to increase power output by up to 6%, adding approximately 200 MWs to the Iraqi grid and therefore potentially helping increase access to electricity. In addition, the upgrades deliver significant fuel efficiency. The reduction in carbon emissions once the Phase 1 and 2 upgrades are completed is estimated at 477,000 metric tons annually for the same level of power production, equivalent to the emissions from over 113,000 gasoline powered cars driven for one year.¹
AGP upgrade team celebrates Phase 1 completion.
Joseph Anis is President and CEO of Gas Power at GE Vernova for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. He commented, “GE Vernova has been working in Iraq for more than five decades and remains committed to supporting the transition to lower-carbon solutions for the benefit of the people of Iraq. This service work has already significantly enhanced the efficiency and performance of the plant, and we’re looking forward to the successful completion of Phase 2. Having seen all the modernization and development that is taking place in Baghdad and across Iraq, the upgrading of the energy infrastructure is vital to support continued development.” When the completion of the Phase 1 upgrades was announced, H.E. Zeyad Ali Fadhil, Iraqi Minister of Electricity, said, “This modernization project aligns with our strategic goals and represents a significant milestone in Iraq’s energy transition. It enables additional electricity production and improves fuel efficiency, thereby reducing carbon intensity.”
H.E. Zeyad Ali Fadhil, Iraqi Minister of Electricity
“This modernization project aligns with our strategic goals and represents a significant milestone in Iraq’s energy transition. It enables additional electricity production and improves fuel efficiency, thereby reducing carbon intensity.”
H.E. Zeyad Ali Fadhil,
Iraqi Minister of Electricity
A near twenty-year partnership with MGH
GE Vernova has worked with MGH for nearly two decades, supplying advanced technology to four of the group’s power plants in Iraq – in Erbil, Dohuk and Sulaymaniyah, as well as Besmaya. This long-term relationship has meant that trust between the companies is strong, and it enables both parties to plan ahead. For MGH, it means reliable service, access to expertise and parts and, in the case of the recent upgrades, delivery ahead of schedule. For GE Vernova, it enables better visibility of planning, logistics and delivery. Ahmed Ismail Saleh, Chairman of Mass Group Holding, said, “Our near twenty-year collaboration with GE Vernova has meant that we can continue to keep upgrading our power plants to be in line with the latest technologies – and continue enhancing efficiency and flexibility as we provide more reliable and more sustainable electricity to the people of Iraq.”
Ahmed Ismail Saleh, Chairman of Mass Group Holding, holding an appreciation plaque presented to him in Dubai, UAE by GE Vernova’s team to celebrate two decades of strategic collaboration to electrify and decarbonize Iraq.
“Our near twenty-year collaboration with GE Vernova has meant that we can continue enhancing efficiency and flexibility as we provide more reliable and more sustainable electricity to the people of Iraq.”
Ahmed Ismail Saleh,
Chairman of Mass Group Holding
Access to reliable electricity, especially during peak summer months, is a priority for Iraq.
Taking a digital-first approach to the upgrades
The upgrades marked the first time that a ‘Live Outage’ had been performed in Iraq. This is a digital-first approach to outage planning and execution. The typical process for a planned outage of a turbine for maintenance is time-consuming. A live outage streamlines the process, with a 30% targeted reduction in cycle outage time. It utilizes an innovative digital platform to standardize procedures and replaces a paper-based approach, reducing the risk of mistakes or rework. It’s a new digital approach that improves the field execution experience for the project team and for customers. Lobna Tawfik is a project manager with Projects & Engineered Solutions and was responsible for the upgrade scope from initiation until successful closure. She said, “Being part of such a significant project gives me a great sense of achievement. Throughout, we collaborated with MGH to execute enhanced technologies with Safety, Quality, Delivery and Cost (SQDC) in mind. Using the live outage approach was a key factor in streamlining the project and keeping all the teams aligned on their next task. We successfully delivered this project ahead of schedule to our strategic customer, supporting their role in the energy transition and decreasing the carbon intensity, as well as helping to strengthen the reliability of the grid.”
“Using the live outage approach was a key factor in streamlining the project and keeping all the teams aligned on their next task.”
Lobna Tawfik,
Project Manager, Gas Power Services, GE Vernova
Local talent
Of the over 200 people that GE Vernova employs in Iraq, more than 95% are Iraqi. GE Vernova is committed to building the knowledge base in the country. One of our Iraqi team members who has benefitted from the training and development programs on offer is Zahra Ramadhan. She’s been part of the GE Vernova Contractual Services Leadership Program (CSLP), a two-year rotational program that gives young talent from across the region hands-on project experience and technical training at sites in Iraq and internationally. One of the plants that she visited during her training was Besmaya. She said, “Getting to see first-hand the operations at Besmaya, as well as other plants, has been invaluable. I know from growing up here how not having access to reliable electricity can impact daily life. Seeing all that goes into generating electricity, and the opportunities there are for upgrading, using the latest technologies and reducing environmental impact, makes me even more committed to pursuing a career in the sector and playing my part in the energy transition in Iraq.”
“Seeing all that goes into generating electricity, and the opportunities there are for upgrading, using the latest technologies and reducing environmental impact, makes me even more committed to pursuing a career in the sector and playing my part in the energy transition in Iraq.”
Zahra Ramadhan,
Lead Contract Performance Manager, Gas Power Services, GE Vernova
Looking ahead
The upgrades at Besmaya are an example of the importance of improving fuel efficiency as one pathway to the energy transition. Further projects are under consideration. In April 2024, GE Vernova and the Republic of Iraq announced multiple strategic initiatives to boost generation and enhance the availability of power supply across the country, including improving fuel efficiency at existing power plants as well as expanding capacity. This builds on the more than 19 GW of new generating capacity that GE Vernova has brought online in just over a decade, working with the Ministry of Electricity and Independent Power Producers (IPP) companies.
Of the over 200 people that GE Vernova employs in Iraq, more than 95% are Iraqi.
Other potential pathways to the energy transition include the use of flare gas and strengthening the grid. GE Vernova has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Iraqi Ministry of Oil to explore the accelerated use of flared gas to boost power generation in select oil fields utilizing GE Vernova’s aeroderivative gas turbines. In the past decade, GE Vernova has strengthened the national grid with more than 30 substations, as well as delivering Phase 1 of the interconnection with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. To continue to aid the modernization and strengthening of the grid, GE Vernova is also exploring the possibility to support the development of High-Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) infrastructure. These HVDC systems have the potential to enable the Iraqi Ministry of Electricity to transmit more power over longer distances while facilitating grid interconnections, improving network performance, and efficiently integrating renewable energy sources as they come online.
“Creating a more sustainable, reliable and affordable energy sector in Iraq will fuel the country’s aspirations for a dynamic, modern economy.”
Joseph Anis, President and CEO, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, Gas Power, GE Vernova
Joseph Anis said, “Creating a more sustainable, reliable and affordable energy sector in Iraq will fuel the country’s aspirations for a dynamic, modern economy and development trajectory that will create opportunities for current and future generations, while crucially ensuring a more sustainable future for communities across the country.” In a country with so much potential, the energy transition will be key to unlocking this more sustainable future.
In conclusion
There are multiple pathways to the energy transition in Iraq, including increasing fuel efficiency.
Access to reliable electricity, especially during peak summer months, is a priority for Iraq.
Upgrades at Besmaya, Iraq’s largest power plants, once completed in 2025, will reduce carbon emissions by up to 477,000 metric tons and add approximately 200 MW capacity to the Iraqi grid.
Teams gain actionable insights, from on-the-ground operations and maintenance teams through to company ESG analysts.
Building the knowledge base among Iraqi talent is vital for the success of the energy transition in the country, and over 95% of GE Vernova employees in the country are Iraqi.
