Restoring Power
September 2004
USAID’s Role in Restoring Electricity to Iraq
D ecades of minimal repairs and no
regular maintenance had left the Iraqi
national electrical system with limited
power to light homes and power busi-
nesses. Before the conflict, the amount of
power available varied throughout the
country. Baghdad residents would have
electricity for up to 24 hours a day while
Iraqis in other parts of the country were
forced to manage with far less – some as
little as three hours per day, if any at all.
Due to reconstruction efforts of the past
year, most areas of Iraq are receiving 11-15
hours of electricity service a day. Working
with the Ministry of Electricity, USAID-
funded activities have added 340 mega-
watts (MW) to Iraq’s power generation ca-
pacity. When USAID’s new generation pro-
jects are completed in the next six to eight-
een months, over 2,100 MW will be added,
in total, to the national power grid.
One of Iraq’s many power plants
Operations and Maintenance
USAID has a two prong approach for institu-
tional training associated with the power plant
work. For USAID’s refurbishment and new
plant projects, on-the-job and classroom training
is provided as part of the contract requirements.
For the other plants not worked in by USAID, a
separate project is dedicated entirely to opera-
tions and maintenance training. It is called the
Operations & Maintenance (O&M) Program.
The goal of the O&M Program is to establish
best operational practices and modern manage-
ment techniques at 19 power plants (113 generat-
ing units). It covers all aspects of power plant
activities including operations, administration,
planning, maintenance, and warehousing. This
program will raise the operating standards, safety
standards, and plant output reliability.
Sector Snapshot
USAID and Partners Get the Lights On
USAID’s Objective: To improve the reliability
and quantity of electrical generation for Iraqi
citizens through maintenance, rehabilitation and
new construction of power plants.
USAID and Iraq’s Ministry of Electricity
The Ministry of Electricity is setting priorities
for rehabilitation projects and actively oversee-
ing the reconstruction of Iraq’s electricity sector.
USAID and the United States Army Corps of
Engineers (USACE)
In addition to its own power projects, USACE is
supplying experienced engineering staff to pro-
vide technical oversight and evaluate and moni-
tor USAID’s infrastructure reconstruction pro-
gram.
Placing a transformer at a power plant in northern
Iraq—USAID’s project at this site will add 325 MW of
generation to the national power grid
In close cooperation with the Iraqi Interim Government, USAID is restoring critical infrastructure, restoring the
delivery of healthcare and education services, expanding economic opportunities, and improving governance.

Restoring Power
Sector Snapshot
Progress to Date:
Intensive efforts from March to September
2003 to rehabilitate the power grid helped bring
power production up to 4,400 megawatts by
early October 2003.
Since September 2003, most Iraqis have ex-
perienced increased hours of power and a more
equitable distribution of power than prior to the
conflict.
Average daily power production has in-
creased from 72,435 MW/hours in August of
2003 to over 109,904 MW/hours in August of
2004.
Daily production peaks are now nearly 6,000
MW, compared to prewar levels of 4,400 MW.
USAID rehabilitated a major, 205 kilometer
long transmission line in southern Iraq.
Challenge:
Completing construction and rehabilitation
in the face of sabotage and general security
problems.
USAID Power Assistance
MW Contributions at Major USAID
Power Plant Improvement Projects
At Tamim Governorate 325 MW
Baghdad Governorate 516 MW
Salah Ad Din Governorate 360 MW
Babil Governorate 255 MW
USAID Major Projects at Iraqi Power Plants
Baghdad Governorate: Converted two com-
bustion turbines to burn crude oil or heavy fuel
which is readily available in Iraq instead of im-
ported diesel fuel.
Installing two new, 108 MW combustion turbine
units to run on heavy fuel oil. They will be fu-
eled by natural gas when it becomes available.
Rehabilitating two units at a steam turbine plant;
major repairs to turbine and generator rotors
and control systems.
Salah Ad Din Governorate: Improved the op-
erating efficiency of three large units at a plant
to meet peak summer electricity loads in 2004.
This project included operator training, improved
maintenance procedures, installation of critical
parts and inventories of spare parts. In addition,
a major rehabilitation of two plant units is sched-
uled for completion before December 2005.
At Tamim Governorate: Installing two new
natural gas-powered combustion gas turbines;
one that produces 260 megawatts and one that
produces 65 megawatts.
Babil Governorate: Providing spare parts and
technical services to increase electricity produc-
tion and improve reliability of four units.
Gas Generation: As part of Iraq’s strategy to
build natural gas-fired power generation facili-
ties, USAID is developing a natural gas field and
furnishing and installing combustion gas tur-
bines and 132 kv transmission lines.
Operations and Maintenance Program: This
work includes assessment and working with
plants to identify and implement recommenda-
tions for improvements to the physical power
plants as well as to plant safety and operation
and maintenance procedures. It also provides
on the job training for 1,500 plant employees.
Gas Generation 230 MW
Maintenance 200 MW
Iraqi engineer repairs a turbine at a Baghdad
power plant.
USAID “We believe in economies that reward effort, communities that protect the weak, and the duty of nations
to respect the dignity and the rights of all.” – George W. Bush