Lebanon Races to Avoid a Nationwide Blackout
As Lebanon endures the peak of the summer heat, electricity consumption has climbed to record levels, driven by heavy air-conditioning use in homes, businesses, restaurants and cafés, as well as the seasonal influx of tourists and expatriates returning for the summer.
The surge in demand has intensified efforts to secure fuel for the country's power plants, amid growing concerns that dwindling fuel supplies could trigger a nationwide blackout, threatening both public safety and the tourism season.
Sources at Electricité du Liban (EDL) told Al Markazia that a vessel carrying 35,000 metric tons of fuel is expected to arrive next week. The shipment will be financed through revenue generated from electricity bill collections.
The sources also said that government ministries and public institutions are expected to begin settling their outstanding payments to EDL within the next 48 hours.
Once those payments begin, the sources said, fuel imports should continue without interruption, ensuring a steady supply for power generation and helping the country avoid a complete electricity blackout.
