ELECTRIC POWER
Libya currently has electric power production capacity of about 4.5 gigawatts. Electricity production in Libya is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 5% through the 1990s. Most of the country's existing power stations are oil-fired, though several have been converted to gas. Projects have been planned to develop other gas-fired facilities, although most appear to have stalled. In February 1995, for instance, Siemens won a letter of intent to build a 450-megawatt, gas-fired power plant in Sebha, 300 miles south of Tripoli. Originally, the plant was to have been completed in 18 months, but this has not happened. Other plans to utilize natural include an 800- megawatt power plant in Zuwara on the west coast and an electric plant and desalination complex in Sirte.

For a variety of reasons, Libya also has considered development of nuclear power. Currently, Libya has a nuclear research center at Tadjoura, near Tripoli, which is capable of processing radioisotopes. Libya has also made discoveries of uranium along the border with Chad, which could ultimately provide fuel for nuclear power stations if any are ever built. In late October 1997, a Russia's Minister of Emergency Situations, Sergei Shoigu, stated that Russia was ready -- in spite of European sanctions -- to begin talks with Libya about upgrading Libya's nuclear research station. Libya has an outstanding foreign trade debt to Russia of $2.4 billion, which Russia is eager to see repaid.

Sources: United States
Energy Information Administration