Lebanon Faces Total Power Blackout: Key Facilities Left Without Electricity

Lebanon's Electricité du Liban (EDL) announced today the cessation of its two primary electricity generation plants, Deir Ammar (North) and Zahrani (South), leading to a complete disconnection of the national power grid. This halting of operations not only affects regular consumers but also critically impedes the primary facilities of the state. Under current challenging conditions, these two plants are the sole sources feeding into Lebanon's national grid, collectively providing approximately 550 megawatts.

In a statement released earlier today, EDL highlighted that they were informed by the power plant operator, PRIMESOUTH, that due to unpaid dues in foreign currency, the operation of the Zahrani and Deir Ammar plants would be suspended, starting at 5 pm local time.

EDL further elaborated that PRIMESOUTH has already initiated procedures to halt the plants. Despite EDL's extensive efforts over the past two weeks, liaising with various stakeholders to avert this situation, the cessation is beyond its control. This inevitably results in a total blackout, depriving Lebanese citizens and essential state facilities of electricity.