The security instabilities that have prevailed in Libya since 2011 have gradually deteriorated the country's electricity situation. The latter is striving to maintain its fleet while building new power plants such as those in Misrata (650 MW) and Tripoli (671 MW) entrusted to ENKA.
Turkish energy company ENKA will build two thermal power plants with a combined capacity of over 1,300 MW in Libya. Both projects will be carried out in collaboration with the German company Siemens.
The two infrastructures concerned are a single cycle power plant with a capacity of 650 MW to be installed in Misrata and another of 671 MW scheduled to be built in Tripoli. The plants will be fueled by natural gas and light fuel oil. Their turbines will be supplied by Siemens and will be in service by 2022.
“The contracts for the projects have been signed with General Electricity Company of Libya (GECOL) to meet Libya’s growing demand for electricity,” ENKA said in a statement.
The construction of these two power plants begins while the security situation in Libya remains tense. Insecurity that undermines the reliability of electricity distribution in the country. The kidnappings and evacuations of foreign technicians prevent proper maintenance of the power plants in service as well as their optimal exploitation.
As an illustration, the 640 MW Ubari power plant completed in October is still not operating due to the evacuation of the area where it is located. The gradual return to normalcy and the recent holding of elections point to a sufficient level of security for the establishment and operation of these two new plants.
Source Ecofin Agency