Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has announced the readiness to launch Iraq's largest electricity production project, with a capacity of 10,000 megawatts. The announcement came during his visit to the holy city of Karbala on Thursday, where he also initiated the executive works of three significant power station projects, with a key partnership involving German engineering giant Siemens.
The Karbala projects include the combined cycle of the Karbala gas station, which will add 132 megawatts, a 300-megawatt solar energy investment station, and the Karbala secondary transformer station with a capacity of 1,500 megawatts. Notably, the 1,500-megawatt transformer station is being implemented in collaboration with Siemens as part of the second phase of Iraq's electrical energy transmission projects.
During the ceremony, Al-Sudani emphasized the strategic importance of the 10,000-megawatt project, which will be executed under a new economic model developed by a team of experts. This initiative is a cornerstone of the government's broader plan to stabilize energy sources, promote investment, and drive development across various economic sectors. The involvement of Siemens is crucial, as the company brings its expertise in advanced energy solutions to enhance Iraq's power grid, particularly in the Middle Euphrates region.
The Prime Minister also highlighted ongoing efforts to reform Iraq's electricity system, including the expansion of solar energy projects beyond Karbala and Babylon to other governorates—a first for Iraq. He underlined the government's commitment to supporting the private sector, which is seen as vital for overcoming economic challenges and advancing national development.
The partnership with Siemens is expected to significantly boost Iraq's electricity production. The combined cycle of the Karbala gas station will contribute 132 megawatts to the already operating station, while the solar power project represents a key step in Iraq's renewable energy initiatives. The 1,500-megawatt transformer station, built with Siemens' cutting-edge technology, will address network bottlenecks and improve energy stability, meeting the growing demands in the Middle Euphrates region.
Source: Iraqui news agency