Lebanon plunged into darkness as electricity grid shuts down

Lebanon runs out of power: Country of six million is plunged into darkness ‘for days’ as electricity grid shuts down after oil-powered power stations run out of fuel

  • Lights go out in Lebanon as biggest two power stations shut due to fuel shortage 
  • Energy network unlikely to be restored for ‘several days’, according to officials 

Lebanon has no centrally-generated electricity after the country’s biggest two power stations shut down due to a fuel shortage.

‘The Lebanese power network completely stopped working at noon today, and it is unlikely that it will work until next Monday, or for several days,’ a government official confirmed today.

The thermoelectric plant has stopped at Zahrani power station, after the Deir Ammar plant stopped on Friday due after diesel supplies were reportedly exhausted.

Energy production in the country dropped below 200megawatts – which is only enough to power approximately 5,000 homes. 

The official said the state electricity company would try to use the army’s fuel oil reserve to operate the power plants temporarily, but that would not happen anytime soon. 

Lebanon has no centrally-generated electricity after the country’s biggest two power stations shut down due to a fuel shortage. [File pic]

Many Lebanese normally rely on private generators run on diesel, although that is also in short supply.

Lebanon has been paralysed by an economic crisis, which has deepened as supplies of imported fuel have dried up. The Lebanese currency has sunk by 90% since 2019.

Residents have resorted to using expensive black market supplies as hundreds of local shops and businesses have folded.

At times, people have queued for miles to fill up their vehicles, often resulting in chaotic scenes filled with violence. 

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