Darkened streets in Beirut as a result of Lebanon's electricity crisis, which the state power company has warned may worsen. (Credit: João Sousa/L’Orient Today)
BEIRUT — Électricité du Liban warned of the potential for a “complete blackout” by the end of the month as its power plants are starved of fuel, according to a statement issued by the state power utility on Thursday.
Here’s what we know:
• According to the statement, EDL’s remaining stores of fuel have declined sharply, and the fuel stores of the Jiyeh power plant have been particularly impacted, along with the two Turkish power barges.
• Earlier last week, a ship carrying 31,000 tons of fuel procured through a convoluted deal between Lebanon and Iraq and intended to alleviate electricity shortages, but energy experts have said that a widespread improvement in the power supply is still weeks away.
• EDL can generate fewer than 500 megawatts from the fuel oil obtained through the deal with Iraq, EDL said in its statement.
• Speaking with L’Orient Today, an EDL source said that an immediate change in the number of hours of blackout per day —currently in excess of 22 hours in many areas — should not be expected.