PRESS RELEASE
COALITION PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY
http://www.iraqcoalition.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – APRIL 21, 2004
Contact: Dallas Lawrence
Tel: 1-914-360-3785
 

IRAQ’S MINISTER OF ELECTRICITY ANNOUNCES LARGEST RESTORATION OF POWER SINCE LIBERATION

Minister Visits Haditha Dam in Al Anbar Province; Discusses Progress Made Towards Increasing Iraq’s Electricity Supply

Wednesday, April 21 – Today, Iraq’s Minister of Electricity, Dr. Aiham Alsammarae, joined with Major General Ron Johnson, the Commander of the Gulf Region Division of the Army Corps or Engineers, to announce the completion of the Haditha Dam electrical project, a $56 million effort to restore 350 MW of hydropower to Iraq’s national power grid. The clean power is generated from the Euphrates River.

The project consists of 223 km of power lines, with 459 towers and was funded through the Development Fund for Iraq (obtained largely from the sale of Iraq’s oil). Prior to the full re-energization of the Haditha line, the dam had been operating at 20-30% of its capacity, producing approximately 100-200 MW. With the completion of this project, the dam has increased it generating capacity by nearly 200%, providing 550MW of clean power.

“Progress is being made,” said Minister Alsammarae. “Whether in the north or the south, the east or the west, every day we are working to bring new power on line to meet the needs of every Iraqi citizen. This $56 million project is just one of literally dozens of projects underway in our country. With the investment this year of billions of new dollars, we are on track to reach our goal of providing 6,000 MW of power by this summer – a 33% increase over power production under Saddam,” concluded the Minister.

“For more than 225 years the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has worked throughout the world to help build a better, more prosperous future for people yearning for freedom and democracy,” said MG Johnson. “We are honored today to work alongside our Iraqi colleagues, helping Iraqis to rebuild their country’s infrastructure after more than three decades of neglect.”

“While today’s success is significant – the largest return of power since liberation – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will not rest until successfully meeting the mission goal of providing 6,000 MW of equitably distributed power for all Iraqis - a capacity not seen in this country for more than a decade. This is our mission and we will not fail the people of Iraq,” concluded Johnson.

If you have any questions, please email Dallas Lawrence at lawrenced@orha.centcom.mil

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