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By Jamal Adel.
Tripoli 31 July 2014:
Some 1,300 Korean engineers are to leave Libya and their work on the Gulf power station . . .[restrict]at Sirte because of security concerns.
The decision was made today at a meeting that included Sirte local councillors and the two contractors, Hyundai and Doosan. Both firms formally asked clearance to remove their staff.
Sirte local council spokesman, Mohammed Al-Amyel told the Libya Herald that the meeting, included representatives of American companies involved in the project and was joined via a video link by Abdulhakeem Layass, the boss of state power company GECOL. The meeting was also included senior officers from the 136th Infantry Brigade.
It was agreed that the Korean companies could withdraw their workforce. They have been involved in constructing four 350 MW generators, the first of which began to be commissioned earlier this month. Ironically Turkish engineers from Gama Construction, who had been pulled in June out after threats against Turks and Qataris by Operation Dignity commander retired General Khalifa Hafter, returned to the project at the start of this month.
It was agreed that GECOL would take over the final stages of bringing the first turbine on stream. It was unclear this evening if the Turkish employees would continue to work on the project.
“The two Korean firms Doosan and Hyundai have played the major role in operating the first unit of the power station” Amyel explained.
The 1,400 MW of power that will eventually be produced when all four turbines of the Gulf power station are completed is will boost electricity to western and southern Libya. [/restrict]
