Libya is set to sign a preliminary agreement with Algeria and Tunisia to launch feasibility studies for a regional electricity interconnection project, aimed at enhancing energy security and boosting power exchange among the three nations.
This initiative follows high-level discussions at the Carthage Summit in April 2024 and comes just ahead of an anticipated summit in Tripoli, where further regional cooperation will be solidified.
Algeria’s Sonelgaz Director of Studies, Habib Mohamed Al-Akhdar, confirmed that negotiations are in their final stages, with an official memorandum of understanding expected to be signed soon.
The project aims to link Libya’s electricity grid with those of Algeria and Tunisia, creating a synchronized power network that will facilitate electricity exports and improve supply stability across the region.
The Carthage Summit’s final declaration included a commitment from Libya, Algeria, and Tunisia to accelerate the integration of their electricity transmission networks, alongside broader energy cooperation in oil, renewable energy, and green hydrogen production.
Libya has already strengthened its energy ties with Algeria, particularly in the wake of severe power shortages in recent years. In November 2023, Algeria provided 800 megawatts of emergency electricity to Tunisia following a nationwide blackout.
At the same time, Libya received 265 megawatts of electricity from Algeria, marking the first-ever direct power transfer between the two countries.
To support Libya’s struggling power sector, Algeria leased mobile gas turbines to stabilize Tripoli’s grid and supplied additional electricity through Tunisia’s network. This collaboration laid the groundwork for deeper energy integration, including joint investment agreements between Libya’s General Electricity Company (GECOL) and Algeria’s Sonelgaz.
The agreement between the two national electricity providers covers multiple areas of cooperation, including the rehabilitation of Libya’s high-voltage transmission infrastructure, power plant maintenance, spare parts supply, and technical training for Libyan engineers.
In October 2023, a team of Algerian engineers was dispatched to Tripoli to assist in repairing power stations at the request of the Libyan government, offering crucial technical expertise to help mitigate Libya’s recurring electricity crisis.
Libya’s participation in this regional power interconnection project is expected to significantly improve the country’s electricity stability, reduce reliance on temporary energy solutions, and pave the way for a more sustainable energy future.
