Iraq signs deal with Alstom
Patrick Kron, chief executive officer at French company Alstom, signed the MOU with the Iraqi oil ministry and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.
The measure includes work at three oil-fired units in the southern port city of Basra. Each facility could produce as much as 400 megawatts of energy.
A project in the holy city of Najaf involves the rehabilitation of a gas-fired power plant with 180 MW of installed capacity. Other work involves the supply of electrical substations scattered throughout the country.
Despite holding some of the largest oil and natural gas deposits in the world, parts of Iraq suffer from rolling blackouts.
Officials working in the energy sector of Iraq said the government wasn't allocating enough money to the energy grid to avert sweeping power outages.
Iraqi police in June opened fire on demonstrators protesting against power shortages in Basra, killing two in southern port city.
Residents in parts of Basra said they have about 6 hours of electricity each day.
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Nonstop Records For U.S. Natural-Gas-Based Electricity
WASHINGTON - As the hot months linger, it will be natural gas that is leaned on most to supply the electricity that we need to run our air conditioners and keep us cool.
And this is surely a great and important thing: "Heat causes most weather-related deaths, National Weather Service says."
Generally, U.S. gas demand for power in summer is 35-40% higher than what it was five years ago, with so much more coming (see Figure).
The good news is regions across the country are expected to have plenty of reserves to keep up with power demand.
The only exception is ERCOT, covering 90%…
