The Ministry of Electricity has announced the signing of a contract for the implementation of the Al-Faw Gas Power Plant project in Basra – the largest investment-based gas-fired station in southern Iraq.
The 3,000-megawatt combined-cycle plant will be built by GE and will include four gas turbines and two steam units. It will also feature advanced seawater desalination technology to meet its operational requirements.
The contract was signed between the General Company for Electricity Production (Southern Region) and the investor, Advanced Technology Systems Company, under a “Take and Pay” model, which ensures payment only upon delivery of generated power. Unlike previous agreements, the investor company will also be responsible for providing the plant’s operating gas supply.
Minister of Electricity Ziyad Ali Fadel, who attended the signing ceremony, praised Prime Minister Mohammed Shiaa Al-Sudani’s continued support for the energy sector and his commitment to removing obstacles to new power projects.
He explained that Al-Faw was chosen for its strategic location and symbolic importance, especially given its proximity to the Grand Faw Port and the new electrical interconnection with Kuwait via the Wafra-Faw line.
Basra currently operates 15 power plants with a total output of around 7,000 MW, exceeding the province’s actual demand of about 5,000 MW, with the surplus exported to neighbouring governorates via newly inaugurated 400 kV transmission lines.
The Minister also highlighted ongoing projects, including the 1,000 MW Shams Al-Basra solar initiative, rehabilitation works at the Hartha Power Plant, and several new investment opportunities to strengthen Iraq’s national power grid.
