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Amidst Libya’s electricity generation crisis that has led to violent nationwide protests, road blockades and the burning of official buildings, there has been movement at the state General Electricity Company of Libya (GECOL).
Power cuts are still widespread across the country, mostly for five-hour intervals. Diesel prices have gone up in parallel to the increased power cuts.
At Monday’s cabinet meeting, Tripoli-based Libyan Prime Minister Abd Alhamid Aldabaiba admitted that he had underestimated the extent of Libya’s electricity crisis.
It was revealed at the televised meeting that electricity consumption in Libya had reached a new all-time peak of 9,000 MW in 2022. This was a staggering 1,200 MW increase on 2021.
New GECOL General Manager Ismail takes up his role – old board is temporarily reinstated
Meanwhile, as Aldabaiba’s new appointee Mohamed Ismail officially took up his post as General Manager at the General Electricity Company of Libya (GECOL), it was announced that the suspended GECOL board of directors were reinstated.
However, it was clarified at the cabinet meeting that this was only on a temporary basis until the GECOL General Assembly meets to appoint their replacements on 17 July. The committee set up by Aldabaiba to investigate the suspended GECOL board also said they needed to have access to the board in order to gather facts for their investigations.
Some good news on electricity?
At the cabinet meeting it was confirmed that the second unit at (fast tracked) Misrata power station (350 MW) had started its experimental operation.
It was also confirmed that the first unit at the (fast tracked) Tripoli West station (185 MW) had also started its experimental operation. All things being equal with the tests, both are expected to go into full operation ‘‘within the coming days’’.
The other units are expected to go online soon.
Lengthy power cuts lead to GECOL head Abdali being suspended (libyaherald.com)
Misrata fast track power station expected to enter service end of June (libyaherald.com)
Tripoli West Fast Track power station about to enter production: GECOL (libyaherald.com)
