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FORWARD OPERATING BASE DELTA, Iraq (July 21, 2008) - The people
of Kut, Iraq, now have more reliable electricity, thanks to the
upgrade of a substation switch gear, which increases the
availability of power for transmission and distribution.
Workers replaced two sections of the antiquated substation and
brought them online about two weeks ago. Government officials
celebrated the work's completion during a ribbon-cutting ceremony
July 16.
"The people of al Kut have noticed a significant increase in the
power available," said Army Staff Sgt. David McFate, a team leader
with 411th Civil Affairs Team. "One person told us that they went
from having just minutes of electricity a day to several
hours."
Most significantly, the improvements to the substation increased
the reliability of power distributed to about 300,000 people in
Kut, nearly half of the city's population.
"The new switch gear was a one-for-one swap with the original
equipment that was installed in 1973," Kevin Olsen, U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers project manager for the substation. "The new equipment
provides quicker power on for the three substations the circuit
breakers feed."
Modernizing the substation equipment helps to speed up the
process of troubleshooting when the power goes out.
"Now the substation switches are easy to check and reset, and
much more reliable," Army Maj. David Fedroff, USACE resident
engineer for Iraq's Wasit province.
The one-year project is just one of a number of projects USACE,
the people of Kut and Wasit province, the Wasit Provincial
Reconstruction Team, Iraqi security forces and coalition forces
have accomplished together.
"The PRT continues to help the people of Wasit and work with the
people of Wasit to get their essential services established or
restored," Bob Kagler, Wasit PRT leader, said. "We look forward
[to] working with the Iraqi and local government in tackling these
challenges together."
Although the new switch gear improves the reliability of the
electricity to the city, the electrical infrastructure still poses
many challenges.
"Unfortunately, the distribution network still needs a lot of
work," Fedroff said. "You can see that driving around town, with
the wires hanging from every pole in every direction."
These essential service projects would not be possible without
the improved security situation in Kut and the cooperation with the
Iraqi security forces, said Army Lt. Col. Timothy Bush, 2nd
Battalion, 20th Field Artillery Regiment commander. "The best
projects are the ones that are decided by the people and enabled by
security that is provided by the people."
The situation continues to improve for the people of Wasit, one
project at a time.
"We will continue to work with the PRT, Iraqi police and Iraqi
army to develop projects that meet the needs of the people," Bush
said.
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