Restoring Iraq’s Infrastructure

Restoring Iraq’s Infrastructure Electricity for a Growing Economy December 2003 Decades of operating power plants without regular maintenance and repairs, coupled with fuel shortages and vandalism, have limited power availability for homes and businesses in Iraq. Restoration of power is critical to the reestablishment of all facets of Iraqi society and is required for sustainable economic growth. USAID, in collaboration with the Ministry of Electricity and the Coalition Provisional Authority, focuses on establishing reliable power throughout Iraq. The programs will also invest in human and institutional capacity-building to improve cost recovery and better operate and maintain infrastructure and delivery systems. Dependable Power Network Since the conflict, power production capacity has more than tripled. Crews are working to improve generation and stability to achieve a dependable power supply by summer 2004. Power production peaked at 4,518 MW on October 6, surpassing the pre-war level of 4,400 MW. A developed power network will foster economic growth, allow continuous water treatment and supply, and improve service in sectors like health, fuel, and food supply. Establishment of a secure fuel supply at generation stations allows for more reliable electricity. Power Generation 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 Iraqi engineers monitor controls at the Baghdad South power plant, which is being rehabilitated with assistance from USAID. Baghdad South, like many other Iraqi power facilities, is in great disrepair. Iraqi plant managers were forced to keep plants online at any cost, often forgoing maintenance and safety procedures. Photo: Thomas Hartwell Challenges Iraq’s economic reactivation will increase demand for electricity considerably as businesses and factories begin operating. Due to years of neglect and continuing sabotage and looting, Iraq’s power lines require significant repairs, which slows the speed of power restoration. Looting and sabotage make power unreliable and cause difficulty for further repairs. Sector Snapshot Planned 3193 3236 3263 3543 3948 3452 3582 Jun 03 Jul 03 Aug 03 Sep 03 Oct 03 Nov 03 Dec 03 Jan 04 Feb 04 Mar 04 Apr 04 May 04 In close cooperation with Iraqi nationals and the Coalition Provisional Authority, USAID is restoring critical infrastructure, improving healthcare and education services, expanding economic opportunities, and implementing good governance. Restoring Iraq’s Infrastructure “Now we are urgently in need of this plant. My minister is calling me hourly to ask when we will have power.” –Yarob Jassim USAID photo Sector Snapshot Power Sector Progress In collaboration with the Iraqi Ministry of Electricity and the Coalition Provisional Authority, USAID is: • Making necessary long-term repairs and scheduling maintenance to build a sustainable power grid at generating plants throughout Iraq. • Repairing thermal and gas turbine units— components essential for stable power generation. • Installing two new gas turbine units at Kirkuk to produce 325 MW of new power • Refurbishing and upgrading two thermal units of the Doura power plant in southwest Baghdad. • Carrying out programmed maintenance on two thermal units of the Bayji plant. • Beginning work at Baghdad South power plant in preparation for installation of 120 MW of new power. Yarob Jassim, director general of southern Iraq’s electric power company stands in front of Hartha, the area’s largest electric power plant, which is being rehabilitated with U.S. aid after a fire. Jassim said the fire began in power cables which had been soaked in fuel oil since the 1991 Gulf War. USAID partner Bechtel is helping with the temporary restoration of the Hartha plant, which has now been producing electricity for over three months (see photo at right). Work is continuing to build the plant up to its full production capacity. USAID partner U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been supplying experienced engineering staff to provide technical advice and evaluate and monitor USAID’s infrastructure reconstruction program in Iraq. “This architect and engineering services contract demonstrates USAID’s continued commitment to ensure the most technically appropriate and efficient management of federal funds,” said USAID Administrator Andrew S. Natsios. USAID photo Boiler No. 4 of the Hartha power plant restored to operation USAID United States Agency for International Development www.usaid.gov/iraq/