Siemens has been contracted to upgrade one of Iraq’s largest gas-fired power plants, Pipeline Oil and Gas Magazine reported.

Siemens will increase the capacity of the Shatt Al Basra Gas Power Plant by 650 mW, taking it to a total 1,900 mW. The plant consists of non-Siemens turbines operating in simple-cycle mode, the company said in statement.

Siemens will supply five of its steam turbines to ensure that the additional power generation comes at no extra fuel expense.  The upgrade will convert the facility into a combined-cycle plant and increase efficiency by more than 50%.

Siemens stated that once upgrades are completed, the plant will supply roughly one million Iraqis with reliable and clean electricity.

The contract was awarded to Siemens by the China Machinery engineering Corporation (CMEC). The project developer is KAR Electrical Power Production Trading FZE (KEPPT).

“Iraq is rebuilding its power infrastructure and we are eager to support the country’s future aspirations,” said Jean-Claude Nasr, senior executive vice president, Power Generation at Siemens in the Middle East.

“A reliable and efficient power supply is the backbone of a prosperous economy and today’s announcement underscores an important step towards realising Iraq’s aspirations towards building a robust power system and a sustainable economy for its people.”