A collapse electricity pylon in Akkar. (Credit: Michel Hallak)
BEIRUT — The Akkar region of North Lebanon is without power for a second consecutive day following the collapse of several pylons supporting high-tension power lines, L’Orient Today’s correspondent in the region reported Saturday.
Here’s what we know:
• According to our correspondent, the pylons’ collapse is due to the combination of recent strong winds and defects arising as a result of the theft of material, such as metal beams, from the structures.
• As Lebanon’s economic crisis has deepened over the past two and a half years, theft of metal as well as copper wiring has increased, causing further disruption to an already inadequate state electricity provision.
• In the present total absence of state power, residents of Akkar are now reliant on costly generator subscriptions for their electricity needs. However, our correspondent reported that these providers are imposing harsh rationing hours on the grounds that they bear heavy losses as a result of high fuel prices and pricing in dollars for the maintenance of their generators, and are threatening to shut down completely unless subscribers agree to price increases.