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U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad (front R) and Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki (C) arrive to attend a ceremony at the Baghdad South Power Plant, June 2, 2006. (REUTERS)
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Iraq’s Prime Minister joined U.S. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad on a visit to Baghdad South power plant today to highlight the new Iraqi government commitment to restoring the city’s electrical system.
The $200 million plant was built by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and adds 216 MW (megawatts) to the national power grid. The new plant increases local Baghdad generation by more than 10%, providing enough electricity to power more than 190,000 homes. Work on the plant started in 2003 and more than 700 Iraqi workers were employed during the plant’s construction.
Prime Minister Maliki’s focus on the Baghdad electrical supply is part of his campaign to give the city’s nearly seven million residents basic essential services and fight the insurgency. He said, “it is possible to improve electric power but terrorists attack electricity pylons and power stations." He stressed that, “efforts must be pooled to provide security services to protect investment projects.” The responsibility for the care, custody and operation of the new plant was turned over to the Ministry of Electricity on April 29, 2006.
With the completion of the Baghdad South plant, the U.S. has added 2,000 MW to Iraq’s national grid through new capacity and restoration of units in poor operational condition. New plants opened in Kirkuk (Taza) in the north and Khor Al Zubair in the south. The United States contribution to helping restore electricity in Iraq is over $4.2 billion dollars.
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