Re-electrifying Iraq

Challenge

The 2003 invasion of Iraq and subsequent period of guerilla warfare led to the extensive destruction of infrastructure in every sector. In 2004 the Government of Japan pledged grant aid assistance totaling US $1.5 billion for immediate reconstruction needs (the Iraq Reconstruction Project). A priority project of the Iraq Reconstruction Project was to assist the Ministry of Electricity (MOE) in Iraq to deploy 23 mobile substations to replace or augment the existing 132 kV substations located in Baghdad and provincial centers.

OC Global was engaged to implement the project on behalf of the Japanese government. We employed local consultants to complete site investigations, managed all aspects of EPC tendering, reviewed and approved the contractor’s designs, performed or approved factory inspections, and supervised the transport of the substations as well as the contractor’s commissioning and training of MOE engineers. An intrinsic part of the services at all times was gathering and analyzing information on the security situation in Iraq to advise all concerned parties and take appropriate measures.

Results

The project resulted in the installation of 13 sets of 132/33 kV 25 MVA and 10 sets of 132/11 kV 25 MVA mobile substations. Surplus funds were used to extend the project to procure spare parts, including two sets each of 132/33 kV and 132/11 kV transformers, four sets of 75 kVA auxiliary and earthing transformers, as well as other assorted spare parts.