Iraqi PM inaugurates Dibis Gas Power Plant in Kirkuk, denies fire incident at new facility

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – On Thursday, August 8, 2024, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani inaugurated the Dibis District gas power plant in Kirkuk Governorate via video conference.

The plant, with a production capacity of 320 megawatts, represents a significant milestone in Iraq's efforts to bolster its national electricity grid.

This project, one of the oldest stalled infrastructure initiatives in Iraq, was originally suspended in 2004 and only resumed at the end of 2022.

During the inauguration, Prime Minister al-Sudani highlighted the importance of the Dibis District station in alleviating the ongoing energy crisis, especially given the challenging circumstances and the complex legal and procedural hurdles that had delayed its completion.

He praised the Ministry of Electricity's staff for their dedication, especially in light of the upcoming Arbaeen pilgrimage, which will increase demand on the power grid.

Al-Sudani also pointed out that the Dibis District power plant had previously suffered from a terrorist attack in 2016, resulting in casualties among the workers. Despite these setbacks, the government remained committed to completing essential infrastructure projects to improve the quality of life for citizens, particularly in the electricity sector.

In related news, the Ministry of Electricity clarified reports circulating on social media regarding a fire at the Dibis District power plant. The Ministry confirmed that the fire, which occurred near the plant, was unrelated to the newly inaugurated facility. The blaze was limited to a transformer under maintenance that supplies oil stations in the Dibis District district.

The Ministry emphasized that all units of the Dibis District gas power plant are currently operating at full capacity without any issues.

The statement from the Ministry urged media outlets to verify the accuracy of their reports, especially given the efforts by some to undermine the government's achievements. The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and the timely delivery of accurate information to the public.

Prime Minister al-Sudani also touched on broader efforts within the electricity sector, noting that additional projects aimed at enhancing electricity transmission and completing other delayed stations are underway.

He mentioned that technical teams are working to finalize an economic model for large-scale production projects in the field of electricity, which will be announced soon.

The Dibis District Power Plant, overseen by the General Company for Electricity Production/Northern Region, operates on three types of fuel: natural gas, light fuel, and heavy fuel.

The resumption of work on this critical project, after a long hiatus, was made possible by a renewed contract with a private sector company and the dedication of the Northern Electricity Production Company’s staff, who began implementation work in March 2023.