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Energy in Libya

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Energy in Libyaprimarily revolves around theproduction,consumption, import, and export ofenergy,with a significant focus on thepetroleum industry,which serves as the backbone of theLibyan economy.As of 2021, Libya is recognized as the seventh-largest crude oil producer inOPECand ranks third in total petroleum liquids production inAfrica.The country holds 3% of the world'sproven oil reservesand 39% of Africa's, marking it as a key player in the globalenergy sector.Despite its abundant resources, the energy industry in Libya has faced significant challenges due to political instability following thecivil warthat began in 2011. These challenges have led to frequent disruptions inoil productionand exports, directly impacting the national economy and its contributions to the global oil market. The sector's future is closely tied to the resolution of political conflicts and the effective management of its vast hydrocarbon resources.[1]

Overview[edit]

From 2004 to 2008, Libyan energy production increased by 21.5% and energy exports increased by 27%.Domestic energy consumptionin Libya was likely driven by industry andpopulation growth.During this period, according to theInternational Energy Agency,the world population grew 5.3%, and the Libyan population grew 9.4%. As a net exporter of oil, Libya's energy production was also stimulated by growing populations in countries likeEgypt(12.2% growth in that period),Yemen(13.4%),Sudan(16.4%),Saudi Arabia(2.9%), andItaly(3%).[citation needed]

Libya's economy heavily depends on revenue generated from exportingcrude oilandnatural gas.According toLibya's Central Bank,in 2021, oil revenues alone accounted for an estimated 98% of the totalgovernment revenues.Furthermore, in 2020, the combined revenues from oil and natural gas exports constituted approximately 73% of Libya's total export value.[2]

In 2020, the total energy supply (TES) primarily came from oil and gas, which contributed 53% and 43%, respectively, whilerenewablesaccounted for approximately 4%.Bioenergycomprised 100% of the renewable energy supply.[3]

Energy in Libya[4]
Capita Prim. energy Production Export Electricity CO2-emission
Million TWh TWh TWh TWh Mt
2004 5.74 212 993 780 14,46 43,51
2007 6.16 207 1,181 971 23,88 43,13
2008 6.28 212 1,206 991 24,61 44,85
2009 6.42 237 1,013 772 26.12 50.05
2010 6.36 223 1,030 803 27.14 51.61
2012 6.42 155 360 203 23.96 34.89
2012R 6.16 199 1,009 803 29.58 44.20
2013 6.20 198 718 515 24.58 43.23
Change 2004-10 10.8% 5.3% 3.7% 2.9% 87.7% 18.6%
Mtoe = 11.63 TWh, Prim. energy includes energy losses

2012R = CO2calculation criteria changed, numbers updated

Energy sources[edit]

Oil[edit]

Oil is the major natural resource of Libya, with estimated reserves of 43.6 billion barrels.[5]
See also:Oil reserves in Libya

Libya is a member ofOPEC.In 2007, Libya was the world's 10th largest oil exporter, with 73 Mt in oil exports.[6]As of 2009, Europe's share of Libya's oil exports was 78%.[7]Domestically, the primary energy use in Libya was 237 TWh and 37 TWh per million persons.[8][clarification needed]

TheNational Oil Corporationis thestate oil companyof Libya. The biggest oil producers in Libya areEni,an Italian company, andRepsol YPF,aSpanishone. Other major producers in the country includeBASF,Petrobras,Gazprom,ExxonMobil,Pertamina,Nippon Oil,Sirte Oil Company,BP,Hess Corporation,JAPEX,andOil & Natural Gas Corporation.[9]

In 2010, 28% of Libyan oil exports went to Italy (over 284,000 barrels a day). In 2009, Europe's share of total Libyan oil exports were around 78%. Other importers in 2009 includedChina(10%), theUnited States(5%), andBrazil(3%).[7]

Oil production from 2011 to 2021 (kbd)[10]: 15 
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
516 1,539 1,048 518 437 412 929 1,165 1,228 425 1,269

Natural gas[edit]

By the end of 2021, Libya possessed proved natural gas reserves totaling 53 trillion cubic feet (Tcf), ranking fifth in Africa, behind Nigeria, Algeria, Mozambique, and Egypt.[2]

In 2019, Libya consumed 271 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of natural gas, approximately half of its domestic production. The power sector predominantly accounts for the country's domestic natural gas demand, representing roughly 90% of its consumption in 2020.[2]

Natural gas production from 2011 to 2021 (bcm)[10]: 29 
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
7.5 11.6 12.2 11.8 14.7 14.8 13.6 13.2 13.5 12.1 12.4

In 2024, Libya experienced a significant decline in natural gas production, with projections indicating further substantial decreases by 2025, particularly affecting the Wafa and Bouri fields.[11]

International Importance and Pipeline Infrastructure[edit]

Libyan natural gas is crucial forEuropeanenergy security,particularly forItaly,which sourced 4% of its natural gas imports from Libya in 2023 via theGreenstream pipeline.This pipeline plays a key role in connecting Libyan gas fields directly toSicily.[11]

Renewables[edit]

The government of Libya promotesrenewable energythrough the Renewable Energy Authority of Libya. The Libya Renewable Energy Strategic Plan 2013–2025, released in 2012, sets a goal of 10% renewable energy contribution to the country'senergy mixby 2025. Renewable energy will come from wind, concentrated solar power, photovoltaic, andsolar water heating.[12][13]

Libya is among 13 countries that have not submitted climate pledges under theParis Agreement.[14]

Total renewable energy capacity, 2014-2023 (MW)[15]: 2 
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
5 5 5 5 5 5 5 6 6 8

The country has a high potential for wind and solar energy.[16]Construction has begun on a 100 MW solar power plant in the town of Kufra in southeastern Libya.[13]

Nuclear[edit]

Libya became a member of theIAEAin 1963.

Libya has a Soviet-designed 10 MWt research reactor inTajurathat was built 1981.

In the late 1970s Libya signed a contract with the Soviet nuclear companyAtomenergoexportfor twoVVER-440 reactors, each delivering 440 megawatts (MW)[17][18]of electrical power on theGulf of Sirte.The reactors were intended to serve a dual-use for electric power generation and seawaterdesalination.[19]As Libya was discontented with the technology the USSR wanted to provide them with, the Belgian nuclear company Belgonucleaire was asked to take over the contract. However, due to objection from the United States for concerns regarding misuse of nuclear weapons development, Belgonucleaire refused and Libya asked the USSR again. In the end, the project was stopped during its planning phase in 1986.[20][21]

In 2006LibyaandFrancesigned an agreement on peaceful uses of atomic energy,[22]and in July 2007, they signed a memorandum of understanding related to building a mid-sized nuclear plant with Areva reactor for seawater desalination. This deal was opposed by Germany.[23]This was followed by a memorandum with Canada, to share nuclear medicine, desalinization technology and co-operation over nuclear energy research.[24]

In 2010, prior to the death of Muammar Gaddafi, Libya confirmed that it intended to create a nuclear energy sector.[25]

Electricity[edit]

In 2019, Libya'selectricity generationreached an estimated output of 32 terawatt-hours (TWh). The primary fuel sources for electricity generation in Libya are natural gas, accounting for 67%, and oil, contributing 33%. Diesel and fuel oil are the main petroleum sources utilized inpower plants,although facilities located atoil fieldssometimes turn to crude oil when imported refined products are unavailable. Owing to frequent blackouts, many businesses in Libya depend on diesel-fired generators as a backup power source.[2]

In 2021, Libya generated a total of 34,629 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity, with non-renewable sources accounting for 34,621 GWh, representing almost 100% of the total generation. Renewable sources, notablysolar power,had a minimal impact, contributing only 8 GWh.[3]The country's solar power sector primarily consists of small-scale endeavors likemini-gridsin hospitals and public lighting projects. The government has set a target of sourcing 22% of its electricity from renewables by 2030 to diversify its energy mix. Libya's solar potential has drawn foreign investment, withTotalEnergiesintending to develop 500 MW of solar power projects.[2]

See also[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related toEnergy in Libya.

References[edit]

  1. ^EIA (9 May 2022)."Country Analysis Executive Summary: Libya"(PDF).eia.gov.Retrieved15 May2024.
  2. ^abcde"International - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)".eia.gov.Retrieved13 April2024.
  3. ^ab"Energy Profile Libya"(PDF).International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).8 August 2023.
  4. ^IEA Key World Energy Statistics Statistics2015Archived4 March 2016 at theWayback Machine,2014 (2012R as in November 2015Archived5 April 2015 at theWayback Machine+ 2012 as in March 2014 is comparable to previous years statistical calculation criteria,2013Archived2 September 2014 at theWayback Machine,2012Archived9 March 2013 at theWayback Machine,2011Archived27 October 2011 at theWayback Machine,2010Archived11 October 2010 at theWayback Machine,2009Archived7 October 2013 at theWayback Machine,2006Archived12 October 2009 at theWayback MachineIEAOctober, crude oil p.11, coal p. 13 gas p. 15
  5. ^"In a pure coincidence, Gaddafi impeded U.S. oil interests before the war"Archived27 July 2011 at theWayback Machine,Glenn Greenwald. Salon. 11 June 2011. Accessed 11 June 2011
  6. ^Key world energy statistics 2009page 23Archived7 October 2013 at theWayback Machine
  7. ^abLibyan chaos threatens oil crisisFinancial Times23 February 2011 p.2
  8. ^IEA Key energy statistics 2011Page: Country specific indicator numbers from page 48Archived27 October 2011 at theWayback Machine
  9. ^Financial Times 23 February 2011 p. 24
  10. ^ab"bp Statistical Review of World Energy"(PDF).bp(71 ed.). 2022.Retrieved15 May2024.
  11. ^ab"Libya Confronts Gas Deficit in 2025".Energy Intelligence.14 May 2024.Retrieved15 May2024.
  12. ^"Libya Renewable Energy Strategic Plan 2013-2025 – Policies".IEA.Retrieved10 June2020.
  13. ^abMarques, Filipa."National Plan for Developing the Renewable Energy in Libya (2013-2025)".African Power Platform.Retrieved10 June2020.
  14. ^"The Truth Behind the Paris Agreement Climate Pledges –" Insufficient to Address Climate Change "".SciTechDaily.5 November 2019.Retrieved11 June2020.
  15. ^IRENA, International Renewable Energy Agency (2024)."RENEWABLE CAPACITY STATISTICS 2024"(PDF).irena.org.Retrieved16 May2024.
  16. ^Alhaji (19 March 2020)."Libya begins construction of 100MW solar power plant in Kufra town".Construction Review Online.Retrieved10 June2020.
  17. ^"Nuclear Power Reactor Details - LIBYA-1".PRIS.IAEA. Archived fromthe originalon 4 June 2011.Retrieved14 September2013.
  18. ^"Nuclear Power Reactor Details - LIBYA-2".PRIS.IAEA. Archived fromthe originalon 4 June 2011.Retrieved14 September2013.
  19. ^Megahed, Mohamed M. (2001)."Nuclear desalination: history and prospects"(PDF).Desalination.135(1–3): 173.Bibcode:2001Desal.135..169M.doi:10.1016/S0011-9164(01)00148-5.Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 15 July 2007.Retrieved14 September2013.
  20. ^"Libyan Nuclear Weapons".GlobalSecurity.org.Retrieved14 September2013.
  21. ^"Libya Nuclear Chronology"(PDF).NTI.Retrieved14 September2013.
  22. ^"Libya in 'milestone' nuclear deal".BBC News.16 March 2006.
  23. ^"Germans attack Libya nuclear deal".BBC.27 July 2007.Retrieved4 August2007.
  24. ^"Canada and Libya look to cooperate".World Nuclear News.31 July 2009.Retrieved23 April2013.
  25. ^"Libya moving forward with nuclear power plans".World Nuclear News.8 January 2010.Retrieved23 April2013.
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