Lebanon plunged into a total blackout.
Lebanon was completely left without electricity after the last power unit of the largest power plant was switched off due to a lack of fuel.
This was reported by local publications LBC and This is Beirut.
The shutdown will also affect vital facilities such as the airport, seaport, water pumps and sewage systems.
The state-owned enterprise Électricité du Liban promises to resume operation of all failed power plants in proportion to the amount of fuel that comes into its possession, and then gradually restore the supply of electricity.
It is noted that Lebanon is currently in complete darkness. The power plants will remain idle until the relevant authorities resolve the issue of EDL diesel supplies due to the Iraqi swap agreement or other sources.
Acting Energy Minister Walid Fayad is confident that he is working on solutions. However, the first batch of diesel is not expected to be delivered until the first week of September. According to the minister, the current political disputes in the government are preventing the solution of the problem.
“As for Iraq's commitment to fuel supplies, it confirmed that they remain in force, but the inaction of the Lebanese parliament has suspended the supplies,” This is Beirut writes.
It should be noted that Lebanon's electricity production is entirely dependent on two power plants – Deir Ammar and Zahrani. There are two more power plants in the country – Jieh and Zouk – but they are under repair.
Lebanon received fuel from Iraq under an intergovernmental agreement. However, due to the high sulfur content, Iraqi fuel cannot be used directly in Lebanese power plants. Lebanon then exchanged Iraqi diesel for fuel from other suppliers.
Recall that this is not the first time Lebanon has been completely without electricity. After 2019, the electricity supply in the country's cities was reduced to 2-8 hours a day instead of the previous 12-18. With fuel supplies running low, Lebanon remained without power for weeks.
Recall that Ukrainians were evacuated from Lebanon due to the threat of war in the Middle East.
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