Hyundai Engineering to expand Iraqi power plant near Baghdad

South Korea's Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co. started work Sunday on a $219 million project to expand a gas-fired power station near Baghdad, an Iraqi Electricity Ministry spokesman said.

The Al-Quds station located in a suburb northeast of the capital will increase production to 1,400 megawatts from 900 megawatts after 18 months, said Qais al-Waeli, spokesman for the ministry's gas projects.

Iraq still struggles with severe electricity shortages eight years after the U.S.-led invasion that ousted President Saddam Hussein. The government has sought bids this year for the construction of more than 60 power plants.

(Bloomberg)