GE Vernova and Mass Group Holding Celebrate the Progress of the Modernization of the Largest Power Plant in Iraq

­In conjunction with a ceremony held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates,Mass Group Holding (MGH) and GE Vernova Inc. announced significant progress on the modernization of the 4.5 gigawatts (GW) Besmaya Power Plant in Baghdad, Iraq, the country’s largest power plant. GE Vernova has successfully completed the Phase 1 Advanced Gas Path (AGP) upgrades on four 9F.04 gas turbines and started Phase 2 AGP upgrades on an additional four 9F.04 gas turbines.

During the ceremony, GE Vernova and MGH also announced an eight-year services agreement to support the plant’s Phase 3, which is equipped with four GE Vernova 9F gas turbines. The Phase 3 service agreement was contracted in the second quarter of 2024 and builds on prior operations and maintenance (O&M) and long-term service agreements GE Vernova secured for Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the project.

GE Vernova’s 9F Phase 1 AGP upgrades successfully installed at the Besmaya plant, deliver industry-leading performance and operational flexibility, enhancing efficiency and availability, as well as output by up to 6%, while improving the efficiency of fuel consumption and extending the lifespan of assets. With the completion of Phase 2 expected in the first quarter of 2025, the eight 9F turbines are expected to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by up to 477,000 metric tons annually for the same level of power production.

Ziad Ali Fadhil, Iraqi Minister of Electricity, said: “This modernization project aligns with our strategic goals and represents a significant milestone in Iraq’s energy transition. It enables additional electricity production and improves fuel efficiency, thereby reducing carbon intensity.”

During the ceremony event, Ahmed Ismail Saleh, Chairman of Mass Group Holding, said: “Besmaya power plant, in collaboration with Iraq’s Ministry of Electricity, is crucial in providing electricity to the people of Iraq and various commercial and industrial sectors. We are committed to further enhancing efficiency, flexibility, and sustainability in Iraq’s energy sector.This modernization project is in line with the Iraqi Ministry of Electricity’s strategic plans to provide more reliable and more sustainable electricity, which is essential for the country’s economic development.”

“The upgrades in phase 1 of Besmaya Power Plant marked our first ever “Live Outage” in Iraq, a new digital approach that improves the field execution experience for our teams and our customers,” said Steve Kessinger, Vice President and CEO, GE Vernova’s Gas Power Global Services. “The service work, completed ahead of schedule, has significantly enhanced the efficiency and performance of the plant and we look forward to continuing our collaboration with Mass Group Holding to achieve even greater results.”

“For nearly two decades, GE Vernova has collaborated closely with Mass Group Holding in Iraq, supplying advanced technology to four of the group’s power plants located in Besmaya, Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, and Dohuk. These facilities collectively contribute approximately 9 gigawatts to Iraq’s power generation capacity,” said Joseph Anis, President and CEO of Gas Power at GE Vernova for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. “GE Vernova has been working in Iraq for more than five decades and remains committed to supporting the transition to lower-carbon solutions for the benefit of the people of Iraq. This also includes modernizing the grid, enabling the digital transformation of power generation and transmission.”

Over the past years, GE Vernova has added up to 19 GW to Iraq’s grid, constructed and energized 30 substations, and completed the first phase of Iraq’s electrical grid connection with Jordan. The company has mobilized over US$3 billion in financing for energy projects and continues to invest in local talent development and workforce training. Working closely with Iraq’s Ministry of Electricity and private sector companies like Mass Group Holding, GE Vernova remains dedicated to advancing the country’s energy sector and supporting economic development.