With Çalık Enerji's signing on to build Kerbela Al Khairat, which will become one of Iraq's largest power stations, the groundwork has been laid for the project intended to provide Iraq with five to ten hours of electricity a day. The power plant will have 4,500 megawatt capacity while producing 1,250 megawatts of energy making it the largest investment in electricity in Iraq. The very first plaster used for the foundation of the power plant to be built by Çalık Enerji, was laid the day before yesterday by Iraq Deputy Prime Minister Hussain al Shahristani, Çalık Holding Chairman of the Executive Board Ahmet Çalık and Çalık Enerji General Manager Dr. Osman Saim Dinç. With a 445.5 million dollar investment, the station to be built in the El Hayrat district, which is within the Kerbela province, will have its first unit operating by next year, while the entire construction is planned to be completed within two years' time.
AHEAD OF SCHEDULE
Expressing just how important investments in electricity are for Iraq, Deputy Prime Minister Hussain al Shahristani stated, "I wanted to be here in person for this important day. I want to thank Çalık Enerji for the job they are doing. As of right now, they are ahead of schedule on the construction for the power plant." During the ceremony, Ahmet Çalık said, "I want to thank Mr. Prime Minister Nuri El Maliki, who has bestowed his trust in us, Deputy Prime Minister Hussain al Shahristani and Iraq's Minister of Electricity Raad Shallel El Ani. We will be completing the Khairat power plant in the time allotted and in the best way possible in order to present it to the Iraqi public." Expressing that when doing business in Iraq, they always feel at home, Ahmet Çalık went on to state, "We work with this comfort and are in close collaboration with the local administration where the project will be realized." During an address at the opening ceremony, Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Hussain al Shahristani expressed his concerns regarding the significant electricity deficit in Iraq and stated, "Daily production from this project will reach 1,250 megawatts. The foundation for the power station to be built in Mosul, also by Çalık, will be laid soon. I definitely wanted to be available on this very important day."
THANKS TO ÇALIK ENERJİ
Relaying that prior to holding electricity tenders in Iraq, they determine which companies are internationally competent, Shahristani states "Çalık Enerji is ahead of schedule according to the construction plans for the plant. They started the job very quickly. I want to thank the Turkish company for continuing all of their efforts. No company in the world could complete this power plant within a year and a half. However, the first unit of the plant will be in operation in 2012." Directing his words to the Iraqi public, and calling on them to help the company that has signed on to this important project, Shahristani states, "Let me just say to the public, we will do all that we can as the central and local administrations to ensure that this job is finished on time and with ease. I am calling on all clans to collaborate, especially when it comes to security." Shahristani also expressed that with these investments, Iraq's electricity production capacity could reach up to 20,000 megawatts within four to five years.
TO BE COMPLETED IN TWO YEARS
Çalık Holding Chairman of the Executive Board Ahmet Çalık emphasized that they foresee the completion of the El-Khairat power plant to be in two years' time, however within that time electricity production will have already begun in the sections that have been completed. "I want to thank Mr. Prime Minister Nuri El Maliki, who has bestowed his trust in us, Deputy Prime Minister Hussain al Shahristani and Iraq's Minister of Electricity Raad Shallel El Ani. We will be completing the Khairat power plant in the time allotted and in the best way possible to present to the Iraqi public." Expressing that with the power station to be built in Mosul, they will be providing a significant amount of the electricity needed in Iraq, Çalık states, "The electricity issue is one of the biggest problems in Iraq. The Iraqi government aims to relieve the electricity problems suffered by the public in the summer months by the year 2012."
FOUNDATION TO BE LAID IN MOSUL
While Çalık Enerji embarks upon building the Kerbela plant; they are also soon to start laying the foundation for another significant investment in the country, a power plant in Mosul. The 750 megawatt Nainawa power plant, located 60 kilometers south of Mosul, will cost 388.5 million dollars and will be completed in 20 months. The Nainawa power plant is expected to provide 24 hours of constant electricity to 250,000 homes. In addition, the building of both plants in Iraq will provide 2,000 people with employment opportunities.

TWENTY PERCENT CAPACITY
Çalık Enerji will be building a total 2,000 megawatt power station in Iraq, which currently has an installed capacity of 4,500 megawatts. The Al-Khairat power plant, of which the foundation was laid yesterday in Kerbela and will be built for 445.5 million dollars, will have ten gas turbines provided by Iraq through General Electric. In addition to being able to operate with natural gas, fuel oil and diesel, the combined power plant on its own will increase Iraq's electricity production capacity by 20 percent.