The General Electricity Company of Libya (GECOL) finally confirmed the widely circulating news and photos yesterday that the Zawia Power Station, with a production capacity of 1,300 MW, was also hit by an armed drone yesterday. The hit did not result in any serious damage or casualties.
It also confirmed yesterday’s social media news that US company GE had evacuated its staff from the power station. Social media reports say the GE staff have been moved to Tripoli for safety reasons.
GECOL also confirmed social media news, photos and clips that the 30/11 kV substation south of Zawia was targeted in an attack that resulted in it completely burning down and going out of service, causing a loss of power supply to extensive areas south of the city of Zawia.
Finally, by posting photos/videos of the drone debris and fragments, GECOL has confirmed that fibre-optic armed drones were being used by the assailants.
These armed drone attacks come on the back of several similar attacks on the Zawia Oil Refinery and the Zawia Water Desalination Plant over the last few days.
Here is GECOL’s full statement:
‘‘The 30/11 kV substation south of Zawiya was targeted in an attack that resulted in it completely burning down and going out of service, causing a loss of power supply to extensive areas south of the city of Zawiya.
Immediately following the incident, technical teams from the GECOL deployed to the site to assess and document the damage, and to begin taking the necessary technical measures to address the aftermath and work on restoring power to the affected areas within the limits of available technical resources.
Warning of potential partial or total grid blackouts
The General Electricity Company warns of the dangers posed by continued attacks on electrical grid facilities and components, and the potential direct consequences for the stability of the national grid; the loss of additional substations, transmission lines, and power infrastructure components could lead to widespread system disruptions, potentially resulting in partial or total grid blackouts.
Security instability impacting power supply
The Company emphasizes that the attacks and security instability witnessed in Zawia recently have directly impacted the electricity sector, causing severe damage to various grid facilities and components, while also directly affecting maintenance and major overhaul schedules for the generation units at the Zawia Power Plant.
GE's forced June evacuation from Zawia Power Plant
Security conditions last June previously forced the US company GE to withdraw its technical teams and suspend operations at the plant. This contributed to delays in completing maintenance and major overhauls, as well as the continued loss of over 700 megawatts of the Zawia Power Plant’s total 1,300-megawatt capacity—capacity that was slated for restoration to the national grid supplying all Libyan regions.
GE halts all operations at Zawia site and withdraws its technical teams
The situation has recurred today following attacks on the Zawia Power Plant’s facilities (specifically the generation units). GE has halted all operations at the site and withdrawn its technical teams pending assurances of security and a safe, suitable working environment that would allow for their return and the resumption of work. This development threatens to further delay maintenance schedules and the return of the targeted generation units to service.
These conditions have directly impacted the electrical system's ability to meet demand and maintain grid stability. Furthermore, the company has incurred financial losses due to damage to grid components and equipment—such as 220kV and 400kV transmission lines—resulting in a wider supply-demand gap (increased load) and negatively affecting service levels for citizens.
These developments unfold as technical teams continue their intensive efforts to maintain grid stability and ensure a continuous power supply amidst mounting operational challenges; such circumstances complicate operations and limit the manoeuvring room available to operations and control teams.
Recognizing the gravity of these ongoing attacks and security breaches—and their direct repercussions on the stability of the electricity system—GECOL disclaims responsibility to the Libyan people for any consequences or damage to the grid, or any disruption to the continuity of power supply, resulting from the continued targeting of its facilities and components or the inability to carry out maintenance and operations in a safe environment.
Call upon all relevant parties to assume their responsibilities
GECOL reiterates its call upon all relevant parties to assume their responsibilities in protecting generation plants, substations, transmission lines, and various grid components, as well as ensuring the safety of the local and foreign technical teams working on them. These are vital, strategic facilities; any interference with them directly impacts grid stability and the continuity of essential services provided to citizens across the country.
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