Japan to Build Large Power Plant in Southern Iraq

Japan to Build Large Power Plant in Southern Iraq

May 27 - Jiji Press English News Service

The Japanese government has decided to build a 60,000-kilowatt power plant in the southern Iraq city of Samawah as part of its support for the postwar reconstruction of Iraq.

Japan has pledged to provide grant aid worth 1.5 billion dollars, or about 162 billion yen, to assist the reconstruction process, and about 12.7 billion yen will be allocated for the power plant construction.

Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura told Friday's press conference that construction work is expected to start by the end of this year.

The power plant construction will be Japan's first large-scale infrastructure-improving project in Samawah, part of Al-Muthanna Province, since Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force troops fully launched reconstruction support activity in the city early last year.

While the GSDF troops have so far repaired roads and schools, local people are increasingly calling on Japan to conduct large projects to improve infrastructure in the city.

Power demand in Al-Muthanna Province stands at about 200,000 kilowatts, but electricity supply totals only 40,000 to 50,000 kilowatts, according to the Japanese Foreign Ministry.END

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