Iraq signs pact with GE for fuel oil treatment technology

Iraq's ministry of electricity has signed a supply agreement with GE for advanced fuel oil treatment technology, FuelSolv, to help enhance the reliability and productivity of the Al-Quds power plant on the outskirts of Baghdad, which is expected to emerge as a key power generating facility as the country rebuilds its infrastructure.

Iraq's power, water, sanitation and road infratructure was destroyed in the 2003 US-led invasion of the country.

Under the agreement, GE is supplying 2,000 tons of its proprietary fuel oil treatment product FuelSolv that can be added to a variety of power plant fuels, including heavy oil, to protect and improve the performance of power generation equipment.

This contract is the largest fuel oil treatment contract GE has signed in the Middle East and marks the diversified US company's second fuel treatment order in Iraq.

''The Al-Quds power station provides much-needed electricity for Iraq and GE's innovative gas turbine technology and fuel oil performance solution can help keep the Al-Quds power plant running at peak performance and efficiency throughout the year,'' said Joseph Anis, GE Energy's president for the Middle East.

Last year GE had signed a contract to supply 500 tons of FuelSolv to the Baghdad South power plant.

The fuel additive, developed by the water and process technologies business unit of GE Power & Water, is designed to facilitate safe, continuous operation of the heavy-duty GE gas turbines at the Al-Quds plant.

When running at full operation with its six GE Frame 9E heavy-duty gas turbines, the Al-Quds plant generates 800 megawatts for the Iraq electricity grid.
Iraq has over installed 120 GE power turbines today.