New Electrical Substations In Irbil

Just two months ago responsibility was transferred to the deputy of the Ministry of Electricity for a completed $27.4 million emergency reconstruction project that restrung 174 kilometers of power transmission line and rebuilt 444 towers. The project was largely responsible for reconnecting the Kurdish power grid to the rest of Iraq. Nearly 4,000 people from over a dozen nations worked on the 7-month-long project.

The massive electrical project was split into two phases. Phase one began March 9 and phase two began August 18. The ministry had estimated that repairs would take seven to eight months. Despite all the extraordinary conditions of working in a challenging environment, total on-the-ground construction took 128 days, Blair said.

Work has begun on four Irbil substations
“The project was completed on time, actually ahead of schedule,” Blair added. Blair took over as project engineer toward the end of phase one construction and worked on phase two through completion.

The 444 new towers and 174 kilometers of power transmission line are carrying much needed electricity to homes, schools and businesses throughout Northern Iraq. The power lines consisting of Teal conductors are capable of carrying 240 megawatts of power. The lines will allow hydroelectric generation to be dispatched over the grid to support summer peak demand, as well as meet the growing demand for stable, reliable power throughout Iraq.

The lines will also support the winter peak requirement for power in the Kurdish area. In the future these lines may also be used to import power from Turkey and are designed for future conductor additions that would increase the capability to 480 megawatts.