UK Export Finance supports US$117 million in financing for Enka UK and General Electric consortium to deliver two critical power projects in Iraq.
UKEF has provided a guarantee to support the government of Iraq in its contract with the GE-led consortium.
This support will finance the early stages of construction of two GE-powered 750-megawatt gas-fired power plants at Dhi Qar and Samawa in southern Iraq. Once complete, the power plants will help to alleviate severe energy shortages in Iraq, supporting the country’s infrastructure development and energy security. Further financing may follow to support additional UK procurement.
UKEF and the Department for International Trade teams in Iraq and Turkey are working closely with Enka UK and GE to source at least US$250 million worth of goods and services from the UK to deliver the projects in coming months. A supplier fair was held in March, in partnership with energy sector bodies NOF Energy and the Energy Industry Council, to connect companies in the UK supply chain with the projects.
The move demonstrates GE’s commitment to developing its UK supply chain following the agreement between GE and UKEF signed in 2015. GE is the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor for the projects, which were announced in January, and Enka UK is the main subcontractor.
This support follows an agreement between the governments of the UK and Iraq, signed in March, reaffirming the UK’s commitment to supporting Iraq’s continued economic development.
Rt Hon. Greg Hands MP, Minister for International Trade, welcomed the news, saying:
“The Department for International Trade through UK Export Finance is delighted to be supporting these power projects, which will significantly enhance the energy sector in Iraq. Construction of the projects also presents huge – and hugely exciting – opportunities for UK exporters, and clearly demonstrates the UK’s leadership in the energy sector.”
