In a significant boost for Iraq's power sector, the Ministry of Electricity (MoE) and GE Vernova Inc. (NYSE: GEV) have announced the early completion and energisation of five critical substations across the country. This achievement is part of a nationwide initiative to energise ten substations, substantially improving grid stability and efficiency. The project also facilitates a crucial interconnection with Jordan’s electricity grid, enhancing energy security for Iraq.

The newly energised 132 kV substations—Al Hindia, Al Sader, Al Qaim Saada, North Baqubah, and Yaramja South—mark an important milestone. Both North Baqubah and Yaramja South were completed six months ahead of schedule, reaching completion in August and September 2024, respectively. Meanwhile, work on the Rasafa Centre substation is nearing completion and will soon be operational. Four additional substations—North Najaf, North Karbala, North Diwaniya, and Aredo—are on track for completion by summer 2025.

Once fully completed, the substations will collectively transmit an additional 2,200 megavolts-ampere (MVA) of power, sufficient to supply electricity to approximately 300,000 households, benefiting about one million people.

Iraq’s Minister of Electricity, Ziad Ali Fadhil, stated, “The strategic collaboration with reputable international companies, such as GE Vernova, supports the Ministry’s efforts to modernise the national electricity grid by enhancing generation and transmission efficiency, and providing a reliable technical map that provides flexibility in transferring loads and achieving stability in connecting governorates to each other. In this context, these five substations that were completed and energised ahead of schedule represent a key milestone and an important addition to our efforts as they directly contribute to improving the stability of the grid in the surrounding areas, and are necessary to meet the growing demand for electricity.”

Johan Bindele, Leader of GE Vernova’s Grid Systems Integration business, highlighted the transformative impact of these projects: “By executing these transformative electrification projects in partnership with the Ministry, our advanced substation solutions are not only stabilising the grid but also accelerating Iraq’s transition to a more reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy future.”

Rasheed Janabi, President of GE Vernova in Iraq, added, “As a dedicated, long-term player in the energy sector in Iraq, we are committed to meeting the growing energy needs of Iraq’s economy with the latest technologies and solutions across the energy value chain. This latest grid modernisation milestone is part of a comprehensive strategy that GE Vernova developed to help accelerate Iraq’s transition to more reliable and lower carbon power for the benefit of present and future generations.”

GE Vernova has a long-standing commitment to Iraq's energy infrastructure. Over the past decade, the company has built and energised 30 substations, including major 400 kV facilities and critical projects in the Kurdistan region. Advanced gas-insulated substations have been supplied from GE’s factories in France and Switzerland, and high-voltage power transformers from Turkey and the UK have been installed by Iraqi engineers. Furthermore, GE Vernova’s substations feature advanced control systems manufactured in the UAE and the UK.

Beyond grid modernisation, GE Vernova has added up to 19,000 megawatts of power generation capacity, mobilised over US$3 billion in project financing, and invested in workforce training. The company is currently collaborating with the MoE to establish a Monitoring and Diagnostics Centre. This facility will leverage GE’s electrification software to continuously monitor core power assets, mitigating operational risks, reducing unplanned outages, and fostering local talent through specialised training programmes.