ABB Sets Up Utility Communications to Handle Iraq's Power Additions

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Written by Richard Finlayson, Senior International Editor for Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--The shortfall in Iraq's ability to meet power demand through the grid is, to some extent, being met by localized distribution systems fed by privately owned generators. More projects to provide base-load power are planned, as are projects to rehabilitate the country's dilapidated transmission network.

Currently, the country has a nominal base-load availability of about 10,000 megawatts (MW), impaired by problems and power outages, with an additional 10,000 MW in the active project pipeline. The government reports that by 2015-17, about 24,000 MW of power will be brought online, with an investment of $27 billion. To achieve this target, there will have to be a change in the current style of project management and execution.

Under an initiative from Iraq's ministry of electricity to improve the system's infrastructure, South Korean power sector contractor LS Industrial Systems (Cheongju, South Korea) has awarded ABB (NYSE:ABB) (Zurich, Switzerland) a contract to deliver a utility communication system, which will serve seven electricity distribution control centers in Iraq.

The system will transmit data from 428 distribution substations and 150 maintenance centers in the grid to the seven regional control centers. It will feature broadband wireless radios to carry both data and voice transmissions over distances of 50 kilometers to support the identification, isolation and resolution of faults. The system is capable of working both in tough terrain and established areas.

The implementation of the system is seen as the key to developing a dependable power network to support economic and social development in Iraq.

For related information, see October 3, 2012, article - Iraq to Invest $500 Billion in Energy Projects Through 2030.

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