<div><p>Canadian engineering firm SNC-Lavalin won two contracts worth 170 million dollars to build power stations in Iraqi cities, government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said on Tuesday.</p><p>The two contracts are for power stations in the mainly Shiite cities of Hilla and Karbala, south of Baghdad, with SNC-Lavalin set to partner Iraqi company Al-Hurra International.</p><p>"An agreement was reached for a power station in Karbala for the amount of 84.8 million dollars to be completed in 18 months, and a project for Hilla power station for the amount of 85.6 million dollars to be completed in 18 months," Dabbagh said in a statement.</p><p>In September, the government invited tenders for the two plants, with Baghdad recommending that the Hilla contract in particular be given to the Canadian company.</p><p>Power cuts remain a constant grumble in Iraq, where only those with the money to afford private generators enjoy the luxury of 24-hour electricity.</p><img src="http://admatch-syndication.mochila.com/images/ad.gif?aid=65873835&bid=informcom" /></div><div id="copyright"><div>

Copyright 2009  <a href="http://www.afp.com/english/links/?pid=copyright">AFP American Edition</a></div></div>