The agreement with Siemens revives hopes of ending the electricity crisis

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[size=52]The agreement with Siemens revives hopes of ending the electricity crisis[/size]

[size=45]In a new step and in an attempt to solve the electricity crisis, Iraq signed, a few days ago, a memorandum of understanding with the German company Siemens, within the framework of the official visit of the Prime Minister, Muhammad Shayaa al-Sudani, to the German capital, Berlin.[/size]
[size=45]Representatives believe that Al-Sudani’s step will contribute to resolving the electricity file, after the success of the German company Siemens’ contract with several countries, while specialists believe that “rampant corruption” impedes the implementation of international contracts with Iraq. Despite the spending of more than 60 billion dollars over the past two decades, the electric power in Iraq is still suffering from several crises, as successive government promises after 2003 did not bear fruit in diagnosing the defects and overcoming the intractable crisis. A member of the House of Representatives, Jassim Al-Moussawi, said in an interview with (Al-Mada), that “Iraq’s signing of a joint memorandum of understanding with the German company Siemens is a positive step in the field of energy.” Al-Moussawi added, "Successive governments have tried many international companies, but they have not resolved the electricity crisis for about 20 years." And he stressed, "the necessity of the independence of the Iraqi economy and going to what is in the interest of the citizen, through the use of clean energy and modern methods in the field of providing electricity."[/size]
[size=45]Al-Moussawi continued, "The step of Prime Minister Muhammad Shia'a al-Sudani towards contracting with the German company Siemens, in light of the existing challenges in the field of economics and fundamentals, is considered bold and adventurous."[/size]
[size=45]And he believed, "The German company Siemens succeeded in several countries and settled the electricity file in them, and it is possible to transfer that experience inside Iraq and end the energy file crisis."[/size]
[size=45]Al-Moussawi went on to say, "The House of Representatives supports the step of developing the electricity file, and any step that is in the interest of the Iraqi economy and the citizen."[/size]
[size=45]In turn, Abdul Rahman al-Mashhadani, a professor of economics at the Iraqi University, says, "The electricity problem is not related to the type of executing company as much as it is related to implementation by the Iraqi side."[/size]
[size=45]Al-Mashhadani added, "Successive governments over the course of 20 years have not implemented full contracts with regard to the electricity file." He pointed out, "The obstacle that stands in the way of the implementation of electricity contracts and other economic contracts is the rampant corruption in the joints of the state." Al-Mashhadani does not rule out, “the intervention of parties to prevent the passing of the contract with the German company Siemens,” noting that “there are many parties that benefit from Iraq remaining without electricity and dependent on imported gas.” According to a statement issued by the Media Office of the Prime Minister, last Friday, received by (Al-Mada), “The Ministry of Electricity signed a joint memorandum of understanding with Siemens.” The statement added, "The memorandum of understanding includes a number of basic paragraphs that constitute a map of action for the development of the electricity system in Iraq."[/size]
[size=45]He pointed out that “Siemens is working in light of the memorandum, in coordination with the Ministry of Electricity, to develop an integrated plan for the electricity system in general, which includes solutions to problems, and the company is also establishing new generation stations.”[/size]
[size=45]And the statement continued, “The memorandum of understanding included Siemens presenting an integrated study to Iraq, including how to benefit from associated gas, in supporting and increasing the production of electric energy.”[/size]
[size=45]He stressed, "The memorandum also included the signing of a long-term agreement, for the maintenance and rehabilitation of units operating in Iraq, which were established by Siemens."[/size]
[size=45]And the statement went on to include, “the memorandum includes the implementation of renewable energy projects, which are solar energy and wind movement, and the establishment of transfer stations in all regions of Iraq, in addition to developing and qualifying the cadres of the Ministry of Electricity and transferring expertise.”[/size]
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