Lebanon plunged into darkness after shutting down power stations without fuel

Complete power outage. Lebanon plunged into darkness on Saturday, October 9, after shutting down the activity of two major thermal power plants due to fuel shortages, the National Electricity Company of Lebanon announced. These forced breaks led to a “The network has completely collapsed and cannot be restored at this time.”According to the company, at least other power plants in the country are operating.

These cuts paralyze the lives of the population and many vital sectors. Private generator managers, who usually take over in this case, ration businesses, hospitals, and homes, where fuel becomes scarce.

This is the second total blackout outage reported by EDL since the beginning of the month. For the first time, the network was re-established after a few days. According to the company, an oil tanker was scheduled to arrive on Saturday evening, to be unloaded early next week.

Lebanon is stuck in an unprecedented crisis, and has been suffering from a strong rationing of power for months, which can extend to more than 22 hours a day. Electricity in the country is produced almost exclusively through thermal power plants that run on fuel oil. However, Lebanon is struggling to import fuel, against the backdrop of a historic decline in the national currency and a shortage of foreign currency.

The new government, formed in September, pledged to begin reforms in the electricity sector and gradually restore public power. Lebanon is negotiating with Egypt and Jordan to deliver gas and electricity through Syria, while the Shiite Hezbollah movement has announced in recent weeks several shipments of Iranian fuel oil to ease serious electricity and fuel shortages. It was also agreed between the authorities and Iraq to distribute Iraqi oil to Lebanon in exchange for medical services.