Athens-based METKA EPC has signed a $380 million contract with east Libya-based the General Authority for Electricity and Renewable Energy of the Interim Government to construct a power plant in Tobruk.

METKA said the agreement was reached in Athens on 25 January 2017.

“The project, with total output of more than 500MW, includes the supply and installation of 3 General Electric GT13E2 gas turbines in open cycle configuration, together with all associated balance of plant equipment and a 220/66kV substation.” METKA said in a press release on Friday.

It added that the contract is subject to final approval from the Interim Government, and will only become effective upon opening of an irrevocable letter of credit confirmed by 1st class international bank.  

The project will be carried out on a fast track schedule so that the first gas turbine will be ready to connect to the grid within 9 months from commencement, and the second and third gas turbines will be ready for connection within 10 and 11 months respectively.

The power plant would be METKA’s first major project in Libya.

METKA is a leading international contractor and industrial manufacturing company. It is a member of the Mytilineos Group, the leading independent energy producer in Greece.

Libya has been plunged into chronic power outages that affected most of the country’s cities and towns where blackouts last for several hours on a daily basis.