Cooling systems launched at Najibiya power plant to add 100 MW in Basra

BASRA — Iraq’s Minister of Electricity Ziyad Ali Fadel announced Wednesday the initial operation of new air-cooling systems at the Najibiya gas power plant in Basra, saying the project will add around 100 megawatts to generation capacity.

“The station, which consists of four generating units, will benefit from this modern technology to add a total of about 100 megawatts,” Fadel said during the inauguration, according to a statement from the ministry.

The minister explained that the cooling systems were implemented in cooperation with the UAE-based TAS Energy company, noting that the project “comes within the government’s program and the directives of the Prime Minister to rehabilitate and maintain production stations, raise their efficiency, and meet the increasing demand for energy.”

“The ministry continues to implement development and rehabilitation projects in various provinces to ensure continuity of power generation and achieve stability in supplying citizens with electricity, despite climate challenges and rising demand during the summer months,” he said.

Iraq still faces electricity shortages, particularly in the summer when temperatures often exceed 122 degrees Fahrenheit (50 degrees celsius). While the government has repeatedly promised to resolve the power crisis, demand consistently outpaces supply.

Earlier in September, Prime Minister Al-Sudani chaired a meeting with the Ministry of Electricity’s technical team on revenue collection, directing measures to curb energy losses and strengthen billing systems. Al-Sudani ordered the dismissal of 15 distribution center directors for “delays and failures in implementing collection regulations and addressing power losses.”

On Aug. 7, Electricity Minister Ziyad Ali Fadhil announced that Iraq has reached a record-high electricity production level of 28,000 megawatts, the highest in its history.