Libya boosts electricity capacity

A deal worth €250 million has concluded between Alstom SA and General Electricity Company of Libya (GECOL) to boost Libya’s energy and power supply capacity. The French based company which focuses on the manufacturing of power equipment and trains will be supplying the Libyan general electricity company with equipments for 11 gas turbines.
These new turbines will be distributed between 5 different power plant locations within the Libyan territory to replace the old ones which were also provided by the same company. However, the General Electricity Company of Libya will be receiving these equipments in two phases and during this year, delivery of parts for major inspections on six turbines will be held. The remaining five power plant locations will have to wait till next year, 2014, before they can be supplied to the company.
These contracts between the two companies support General Electricity Company of Libya’s objectives to have all the company’s gas power plants operational and re-connected to the Libyan electrical grid, in order to provide enough power to cover the peak summer and winter demands for 2013. During these periods, electricity demand is too high because of the excessive heat or extreme cold conditions experienced.
Senior Vice President of Alstom Thermal Services, Hans-Peter Meer, said they are committed to restore power back in the country. Alstom will also benefit from the signing if the contract because it will help to strengthen its presence in the Middle East and North Africa region where electricity demands have rising at a considerable rate and the demand for upgrade and optimization a high priority.
Alstom has a long standing relationship with GECOL and has delivered 24 gas turbines to the country, which represents more than 50 % of GECOL’s operational capacity.