Libya to Construct its First Ever Wind Farm

The country of Libya will soon join the other countries that generate and use renewable wind energy. The country has commenced the construction of its first wind farm known as Alfateh Project in Dernah, a small city in the north east coast of the country.

The wind farm is designed to generate around 61.75 MW of clean energy. The proposed wind farm erected at a cost of around 180 million LD will be accomplished by the Spanish Company, Amtors in a period of around 20 months. The project includes installation of wind turbines, related control equipment, power transformers, and construction of buildings for the operation and maintenance, building of service roads, electric power lines, workshops and control rooms.

Libya currently generates lesser than 1% of its total power requirement from renewable energy sources and it aims to reach a minimum 10% of its total power usage from renewable electric sources by the year 2020. The country proposes to have 500 MW power generation facility by 2015 and 1,000 MW by 2020. The country has plans to construct wind power generation farms in several places. The country also has unveiled its plans to install 15 MW solar power production facilities in three locations and 1,000 rooftop solar systems. A feasibility study for installing a Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) is also being considered by the country.