Electricity crisis worsens.. Electricité du Liban reveals reasons behind the blackout and warns of worse to come

Electricité du Liban explained that the noticeable decline in electricity supply hours, particularly in a number of administrative districts of Beirut, is mainly due to the limited available generation capacity, amid rising demand during the summer season and worsening operating conditions.

In a statement, the utility said that current generation capacity does not exceed around 500 megawatts, as a result of several factors, most notably the sharp rise in petroleum derivative prices and the continuing repercussions of regional conditions, which have directly affected the capacity of power plants and the electricity grid.

It warned that the lack of sufficient generation capacity of around 1,000 megawatts leads to disruptions in frequency and voltage, and to some components of the grid going out of service suddenly, keeping the possibility of a total blackout on the table on a daily basis.

The utility stressed that it is continuing to work to ensure a fair distribution of power supply among the various Lebanese regions, explaining that the current daily average of electricity supply is estimated at around four hours, with exceptions for vital facilities that require uninterrupted power, such as the airport, the port, courthouses, prisons, and water pumping stations.

Electricité du Liban called on citizens to follow supply updates through its official website, affirming that its technical teams are continuing to make every possible effort to preserve grid stability despite the exceptional circumstances and the rising cost of operating the sector.