Release A050606c

New power plant boosts Baghdad electricity grid

Multi-National Force-Iraq

TAJI, Iraq – Iraqi laborers and General Electric employees recently completed eight months of work on a power plant project which will bring additional electricity to Baghdad .

This project at the Qudas Power Plant outside of Baghdad was supported by Soldiers from 3rd Brigade, 1st Armored Division and the Army Corps of Engineers.

"We added 90 megawatts of electricity to the Baghdad power grid. That's huge," said Capt. Steve Heinz commander, 3rd Bde.,1st Armor Div.'s Brigade Engineering Supervisory Team.

The project provided jobs for about 50 Iraqi workers and will help bolster the Iraqi economy.

"The project was a 50-50 mix of Iraqi labor and GE employees who also provided labor and oversight," said Heinz.

The power plant is just one of the facilities being refurbished in Iraq under Purchasing Contract Office programs.

The added electricity means that Iraqi citizens in Baghdad will have the power needed to provide essential services and air-conditioning when temperatures increase this summer.

Note: Story by Sgt Kevin Bromley, 3rd Brigade, 1st Armor Division Public Affairs Office

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