Electricity services are deteriorating by the day in Libya, from increased outages under a plan to distribute loads to certain regions while releasing others in the same city, to the stage of total blackouts in an entire city without affecting other cities, and ending with total power failure in all the cities of eastern Libya and also western Libya.
Chairman of the General Commission of Electricity and Renewable Energies (GCERE) under the transitional Libyan government Abbass Abbass explains the reasons for these outages and proposed solutions.
Electricity services are deteriorating by the day in Libya, from increased outages under a plan to distribute loads to certain regions while releasing others in the same city, to the stage of total blackouts in an entire city without affecting other cities, and ending with total power failure in all the cities of eastern Libya and also western Libya.
Chairman of the General Commission of Electricity and Renewable Energies (GCERE) under the transitional Libyan government Abbass Abbass explains the reasons for these outages and proposed solutions.
Mr. Abbass, could you describe the general situation of power generation and distribution in Libya?
The situation of electricity in the western region is somewhat good compared to the eastern and southern regions because the former relies on more than one power station systemically distributed to a number of western cities.
As for the eastern region, power generation completely depends on the North of Benghazi Station, while the other two stations in Derna and Tobruk (320 and 420 kilometers respectively east of Benghazi) are out of service due to worn out infrastructure and much broken equipment. Like the eastern region, the southern region is suffering too because it relies on the stations of the western region.
Had the Ubari Station Project been completed, the situation in the south would have been much better. The project however was suspended while in later stages because the Turkish contracting company left the country. The station was intended to generate 640 megawatts.
Generally speaking, before some stations stopped running, Libya used to generate 8,907 megawatts. When stations are maintained or completed, electricity production will reach 13,500 megawatts, which is enough to resolve the electricity crisis in the country.
The reasons you have just mentioned have been the same for over five years, but the situation started to get worse only two years ago where total blackout took place several times in the eastern region. Are there any other reasons?
That blackout occurred due to armed confrontations in many areas, which caused huge problems to electricity networks and transformation stations and led to the fall of several transmission towers. All that hampered power transfer from generation stations to load centres in different cities. In other words, the stations were generating double their capacity, which put them out of order.
We do not see any urgent initiatives to start solving the electricity crisis.
The political and security situation in Libya has greatly affected our ability to work and provided no favorable environment to start resolving the crisis. Moreover, direct and indirect bombing of major generation stations often prevents maintenance work, let alone the suspension of budget disbursement, which has limited our capacities.
We are saving no efforts to find a way out, but at the same time, do not expect final solutions to the tragic situation currently experienced by the GCERE.
Could you explain what steps are you taking now to find a way out?
In addition to the maintenance work and urgent repairs we continuously and regularly do to prevent outages, we have done the following:
– Concluded a memorandum of understanding with German company Siemens to implement Sousse Station and Zliten Station (each 173.4 megawatts) in accordance with the international prices with deferred payment, starting one year after operation and a record low time of implementation to address power failure problems as soon as possible;
– Concluded a memorandum of understanding with American GE as well as with METKA to implement the Tobruk Gaseous Station (185.3 megawatt); and
– Met with Greek Electrical Transmission and Connection Company (ADMHE) to discuss the agreement signed with Belgian GP2020 Company concerning the implementation of the electrical connection between Tobruk and Greek Crete Island.
The Tripoli branch of the GCERE issued a statement warning of a complete and imminent collapse of the network.
In my point of view and according to the existing reports, we are still in the safe zone. Perhaps, the statement was issued to urge people to rationalize electricity and put pressure on the state to provide what is missing and the capacities needed by the branch.
Do you control the Tripoli branch?
It has nothing to do with controlling. What the country needs now is collaboration among all services. All GCERE branches work in full cooperation with each other since the GCERE is the main sponsor of electricity in the country.
I have great relations with the heads of all branches. Thus, I have created a balance aimed at saving the sector from any political influence or problems.
What about the deal with stations in Bayda, which was revoked following huge controversy?
It was not a deal, but rather a project to support the sector in Bayda with large diesel stations. However, those in charge had different opinions where some believed that the project would not serve the city on the long run, and others considered it to be too expensive. Nonetheless, the main reason for disrupting the project was the interference of unqualified people.
Why do not you hold regular press meetings to explain all what you have just mentioned, especially since some are accusing you of not receiving media outlets?
That is incorrect. Who said that? We welcome all media outlets as we have just done with you. These outlets themselves however may be neglectful since they acquire information from social media, which is a grave mistake because they should get information from the source directly lest they convey false news and rumors.
