100 MW Solar Plant In Libya Enters Construction

• Libya has started construction on a 100 MW solar power plant in the country
• A Chinese company is building the project in Kufra municipality, according to local media reports
• It will supply clean power to the municipality and adjacent regions where a thermal power plant has been facing problems of fuel supply

Local media reports in Libya say a 100 MW solar power plant has been put under construction in the North African country and an unidentified Chinese EPC service provider has been entrusted the responsibility to deliver the project. Libyan Prime Minister of the Eastern Government Abdullah Thinni is said to have laid the foundation stone for the construction of the project.

The project will occupy 200-hectare space in Kufra municipality in the south eastern corner of Libya. On completion, it will supply electricity to boost the network for Kufra and adjacent areas that are currently served by a thermal power plant comprising 3 units of 25 MW each that was said to be facing problems of fuel supply of late.

Media reports say the project is in line with the 2030 vision of the General Authority for Electricity and Renewable Energy to expand its solar and wind power portfolio among alternative energies.

As per its Renewable Energy Strategic 2013-2025 plan, Libya had plans to achieve 7% renewable energy share in the country's electricity mix by 2020 through 600 MW wind, 150 MW CSP, 300 MW solar PV and 250 MW solar water heating. It will be increased to 10% by 2025 from 1 GW wind, 400 MW CSP, 800 MW solar PV and 450 MW solar water heating, as per the International Energy Agency (IEA). However, taken into consideration the general state of the country this plan is plan is pretty much outdated.

The Renewable Energy Statistics 2019 of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) says till the end of 2018, total renewable energy capacity of Libya was 5 MW, all of which comprised solar energy.