EBÎR MUHEMED            

Qamishlo- The construction of the Swedish (Suwaidiyah) OCGT Power Plant began in 1983 and ended in 1985. The aim of the plant is to secure oil supplies and local natural gas services in Rmelan and separate all of the various hydrocarbons and fluids from the pure natural gas, to produce what is known as 'pipeline quality' dry natural gas. It supplies 500.000-m3 natural gas per day.

Narîman Ehmed is a petrochemical engineer working at the Control Department of the Swedish Gas Power Plant. NuJINHA spoke to her about the activities of the plant.

Stating that she works in the most sensitive department of the plant, Narîman Ehmed said, “I work in the control room. The gas produced by the plant is divided into seven types. One type of the gas is used for generating energy. The second type is LPG gas used at homes. The other types are used for other things. The department we work in is a very sensitive department. The people working in this department must be always careful to prevent a possible problem.”

“Women have proved themselves”

Speaking about the Revolution in Rojava, which changed the working system in the plant, Narîman Ehmed said, “The number of women working in the plant has increased since the revolution. Before the revolution, no women worked in the plant. After the Autonomous Administration took control of the plant, women started working in the plant for the first time. The members of the women’s team graduated from the Rojava University. At the beginning, we faced many challenges because men did not want us to work with them. Then, women have proved themselves by working hard. Over time, men accepted women to work with them. Now, women work in many departments of the plant.”

The importance of the plant

Indicating that 13,000 gas cylinders are filled per day, Narîman Ehmed said, “The plant produces natural gas without limitation. 14,000 gas cylinders are filled per day at the plant and these cylinders are distributed across North and East Syria. In the region, the people need energy and gas. For this reason, this plant is very important for the people.”

Health and safety at work must be ensured

Speaking about the problems faced by them at the plant and the effects of gas on their health, Narîman Ehmed said, “We do our best to meet the needs of our people but it is a risky job. We sometimes have to stop working because we cannot find raw materials. We try to find alternative ways. Gas also affects our health because we have to separate all of the various hydrocarbons and fluids from the pure natural gas. For this reason, the people working at the plant often get sick. Health and safety at the plant must be ensured. We need more protective equipment.”