OREANDA-NEWS. GE (NYSE: GE) has signed a contract with ENKA to supply power generation equipment for a new 750-megawatt (MW) combined-cycle plant being developed by Qaiwan Group in Iraq. GE will provide four 9E gas turbines and one steam turbine for a new power plant in Sulaimaniyah to support the government's goal of strengthening the electricity infrastructure in the Kurdistan region.

GE has played a key role in supporting the region's focus on providing uninterrupted power for its people and driving industrial growth. Through its regional partnerships, GE's turbines support more than 90 percent of the electricity generated in the Kurdistan region, supplying nearly 20 hours of electricity a day. The new power plant in Bazyan marks the fourth power project that GE is supporting with its heavy-duty gas turbine technologies in the region.

The Erbil, Sulaiymaniyah and Dohuk plants, powered by 24 GE 9E gas turbines, produce more than 3,000 MW, the equivalent to the required annual energy needs of approximately 3 million households in Iraq. The Bazyan plant will help deliver power to an additional 750,000 households.

Saad Hassan, CEO of Qaiwan Company, said, "The Bazyan power plant is expected to address the growing demand for power in the Kurdistan region. Our objective is to enhance its operations through a combined-cycle plant with reliable and advanced technologies that contribute to greater efficiency in the long run. GE's gas and steam turbines are an ideal fit to our requirements."

Fehmi Bayramoglu, member of the executive committee, ENKA said, "The Bazyan project is one of our key contracts in the region, which we are committed to developing as per an aggressive project schedule. Having worked with GE on three earlier projects in the region, we are confident of the additional value that the company's technologies bring to the project."

Mohammed Mohaisen, CEO, GE Power Generation Products and Services Sales, Middle East and North Africa said, "With over 40 years of presence in Iraq, GE is committed to supporting its developmental goals to build a strong electricity infrastructure. Our contract for the Bazyan power plant is the fourth with ENKA in this region, highlighting the trust of our partners in delivering advanced technologies that strengthen the efficiency of power projects. GE's gas and steam turbines will assist in enhancing plant operations that support the rapidly growing industrial area of Bazyan."

With more than 30 million operating hours of utility and industrial service, the 9E turbines are proven to be extremely productive even in challenging climates. The platform has flexible fuel handling capabilities including natural gas, light- and heavy-distillate oil, naphtha, crude oil and residual oil-thus serving as a good match for the needs of the Bazyan combined-cycle power plant.