China's contribution – Iraq's Wasit province has set off an electric power revolution
Wasit governorate, Iraq, photo by Khalil Dawood, Xinhua News Agency.
On the banks of the Tigris River in Wasit province, the Huashide power plant stands as the largest thermal power plant in Iraq. Six first-class generator sets with a capacity of 2,540 megawatts roared day and night, transmitting the "source of light" and illuminating thousands of homes in Iraq.
The Iran-Iraq War, the Gulf War, the Iraq War, and the war between the terrorist organization "Islamic State" and the war year after year have left Iraq's power system in tatters. In the middle of summer, when temperatures often exceed 50 degrees Celsius, Baghdad spends half of its summer peak electricity consumption in darkness, causing distress to the public.
However, the emergence of the Huashide Power Plant, which was built by Shanghai Electric Group, has brought earth-shaking changes to this land.
As one of the first reconstruction projects launched by Chinese companies in post-war Iraq, the contract for the Huashide power plant project began to be officially implemented in 2009, and the construction was carried out using Chinese equipment and Chinese standards. Lv Guoqing, executive manager of the Iraq Huashide Project Department of Shanghai Electric Group, said.
To date, the Washide power plant has generated nearly 150 billion kilowatt hours of electricity, accounting for about 20% of the total electricity generation in Iraq. At peak times, it guarantees 70% of the capital's Baghdad**.
Omar Raj, a native of Wasit province, recalled: "Power outages were common when I was at school, and I often Xi in dim light. Since the Washide power plant generated electricity, there have been almost no more power outages in Wasit province. ”
The power plant not only brings tangible benefits to the local people, but also creates local employment opportunities. So far, nearly 3,000 jobs have been provided for the local area, and nearly 200 Iraqi employees have gone to Shanghai to receive relevant technical training. Under the training of the Chinese side, the Iranian employees gradually have the ability to operate and maintain the power plant.
At the end of 2011, U.S. troops hastily withdrew from Iraq, giving groups such as the Islamic State an opportunity to take advantage of it. In 2014, when the Islamic State (ISIS) forces captured Mosul, Iraq's second-largest city, the Chinese employees of the Huashide Power Plant chose to hold on and secure Iraq's electricity**.
In addition to building and operating the power plant, Shanghai Electric Group also built a "Huayi Road" in the local area and donated Xi supplies to a nearby primary school. Omar recalls: "I still remember the big smiles on the children's faces when they received the Chinese gifts. ”
The Chinese friends have sent a message to the Iraqi people with concrete actions that the friendship between Iraq and China is deep-rooted and has a long history. Omar said.
In December 2015, China and Iraq established a strategic partnership and signed a cooperation document on the Belt and Road Initiative, injecting new impetus into China-Iraq relations, and the economic and trade cooperation between the two countries has become increasingly close. Today, China is Iraq's largest partner, and Iraq is China's third largest partner among Arab countries.
It is believed that under the Belt and Road Initiative, Iraq's war-destroyed industries, industries and infrastructure can continue to recover and flourish." Mohammad Jassim, deputy director of the Huashide Power Plant, said.