Libyan state power firm Gecol on 27 April said it planned to connect the first 185MW unit of its 740MW (650MW effective) Tobruk gas turbine power plant to the grid at the end of May as the country seeks to avoid another summer of devastating electricity shortages.

The $400mn Tobruk plant, being built by Greek contractor Metka, is set to run on liquid fuels as the nearest possible gas pipeline connection lies hundreds of kilometers away. Two other emergency power stations are being constructed by Turkey’s Enka and Germany’s Siemens: the 690MW Tripoli West and the 650MW Misrata gas turbine plants. (CONTINUED - 155 WORDS)