BAGDAD (dpa-AFX) - Siemens Energy wants to help Iraq improve the country's poor power supply. During a visit by Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock to Baghdad, the company signed contracts to this effect with Iraq's Ministry of Electricity on Tuesday. Specifically, Siemens Energy will maintain three power plants in the country with a dimension of around one gigawatt for five years and also train local employees in the field. The Munich-based company did not initially comment on the financial dimension of the agreements concluded.

"Siemens Energy is here to help Iraq ensure much-needed access to energy for the population," the company said in a statement. "Together, we will enable households, schools, hospitals and industries to function and thrive." It also said the collaboration will ensure the transition to green energy in the country.

In January, Siemens Energy had already signed a memorandum of understanding for the expansion of electricity infrastructure with Iraq's Minister of Electricity Siad Ali Fadhil in Berlin. Several projects, which together are expected to run into the billions, are intended to reduce the country's frequent power outages and cut CO2 emissions. The notoriously poor power supply is one of the reasons why mass protests have occurred repeatedly since 2019.

Baerbock is in Iraq for a four-day visit. The Green politician met her counterpart Fuad Hussein on Tuesday and then Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani for talks. In the evening, Baerbock planned to travel on to Erbil, the capital of the Kurdish autonomous regions in northern Iraq./bk/cir/DP/he