Locations affected: Lebanon
What:
On 17 August, Lebanon’s Zahrani Power Plant in the south shut down its last operating units due to a fuel shortage, triggering a nationwide power outage. The blackout has disrupted critical infrastructure, including the Port of Beirut, Rafik Hariri International Airport, wastewater treatment facilities, hospitals, communication and water pumping stations.
Why:
Lebanon’s power crisis, worsened by the ongoing economic collapse since 2019, has limited the country’s ability to import fuel, leading to more frequent outages. The Zahrani Power Plant, the only facility operating since Deir Ammar’s closure in July, provides most of the country’s electricity. Meanwhile, Lebanon’s five aging hydroelectric plants are either offline or barely functional. State electricity is available for roughly four hours a day, forcing people to rely on diesel generators.
So What:
- Lebanon’s electricity provider, Electricity of Lebanon (EDL), announced plans to restart the Zahrani Power Plant once fuel is secured, with a gradual restoration of electricity. However, no timeline was provided.
- The South Lebanon Water Corporation has urged water conservation, as the outage is affecting water pumping operations.
- Electricity generators began temporarily powering Beirut Airport on 18 August, though flight delays and cancellations remain possible.
- Energy Minister Walid Fayyaz expects gas shipments from Egypt by 23 August, and Algeria has committed to immediately supplying fuel for Lebanon’s power plants.
Outlook:
Power restoration hinges on securing fuel to restart the Zahrani Power Plant. The blackout is expected to cause supply chain delays due to affected ports and other critical infrastructure. Additionally, Lebanon’s power infrastructure is at heightened risk due to rising tensions between Hezbollah and Israel, following the Gaza conflict and the July assassination of Hezbollah’s military commander, Fuad Shukr, in Beirut. Organizations are advised to maintain situational awareness and implement contingency plans.
