Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Saboteurs mount more attacks on national grid
Security
(Azzaman) - The country’s power generating systems have come under fresh attacks putting more stations and units out of order. The attacks come as the national grid is passing through its worst period since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion.
Despite allocations of hundreds of millions of dollars the grid has been deteriorating and currently the power generating capacity is less than the nearly 4500 megawatts it produced in the months leading to the overthrow of former leader Saddam Hussein.
The generating capacity is now less than half the country’s needs. As a result major cities like Baghdad and Mosul may go without electricity for several days in a row. An Electricity Ministry source said saboteurs last week blew up power pylons disrupting supplies from six generating units servicing the capital Baghdad.
High voltage lines linking the Doura power plant with feeder stations in Baghdad were also attacked. Doura is a major plant built specifically to serve Baghdad. The source said the ministry’s has asked the armed forces and security personnel to accompany its repair teams trying to redress the damage.
Despite allocations of hundreds of millions of dollars the grid has been deteriorating and currently the power generating capacity is less than the nearly 4500 megawatts it produced in the months leading to the overthrow of former leader Saddam Hussein.
The generating capacity is now less than half the country’s needs. As a result major cities like Baghdad and Mosul may go without electricity for several days in a row. An Electricity Ministry source said saboteurs last week blew up power pylons disrupting supplies from six generating units servicing the capital Baghdad.
High voltage lines linking the Doura power plant with feeder stations in Baghdad were also attacked. Doura is a major plant built specifically to serve Baghdad. The source said the ministry’s has asked the armed forces and security personnel to accompany its repair teams trying to redress the damage.
Labels: Doura power plant, electricity, Iraq, national grid
