Page 5 - AfrElec Week 02 2021

AfrElec COMMENTARY AfrElec

using generators, but this solution also has draw-
backs, in that many regions are also subject to Supply alternatives
shortages of refined petroleum products at times GECOL might be better served, then, by looking
when oil output levels drop or are unstable. for alternative suppliers.
Indeed, it seems already to be doing so. In late
NOC and GECOL December, the utility signed an agreement on
NOC has been trying to work with the national co-operation with Sonelgaz, Algeria’s national
power provider, known as General Electricity gas and electricity provider. That agreement
Company of Libya (GECOL), to ensure deliver- calls for the two sides to work together on the
ies of feedstock to the latter company’s TPPs. Last production, transportation and distribution of
week, for example, representatives of the two gas, according to press reports.
companies met at NOC’s headquarters in Tripoli As of press time, it was not clear whether
to discuss the question of how to keep GECOL’s the accord was designed to lay a foundation
power stations adequately supplied with gas. for future deliveries of Algerian gas to Libya.
During that meeting, NOC chairman GECOL said at the time that the document
Mustafa Sanalla acknowledged that the TPPs served to extend collaboration between the two
were still not receiving all the gas they needed companies following the arrival of a Sonelgaz
to operate at full capacity. He also said that his technical team last October to assist in the repair
company was working to boost the volume of and relaunch of the Libyan company’s Khoms
gas delivered to GECOL but faced certain lim- TPP.
itations, since it was still waiting for the relevant Sonelgaz went slightly further. Chaher Bou-
budgetary measures to be approved. lakras, the Algerian utility’s general manager,
Sanalla did not say when he expected this said that the new accord expanded on previous
milestone to be reached. He did suggest, though, agreements that provided for co-operation in
that GECOL devote more attention to solar the area of production. The new deal allows the
power and other types of renewable energy, two sides to work together on the transportation
especially in areas not well supplied by gas pipe- and distribution of gas, as well as training pro-
lines, in order to expand its generating capacity. grammes and renewable energy projects, he said.
This advice does have some long-term merit, So far, neither GECOL nor Sonelgaz has said
considering that Libya has high solar potential. whether co-operation will involve the delivery
In the short term, though, the country will have of Algerian gas to Libya for use in power gen-
a hard time compensating for fluctuations in oil eration. However, the signing of the agreement
and gas production with renewable generation between the two companies may be a sign that
facilities, as these tend to be smaller in scale than GECOL is looking beyond NOC with respect to
conventional TPPs. making sure that its power stations have enough
fuel to meet domestic energy demand. ™

Week 02 14•January•2021 www. NEWSBASE .com P5