Power supply in Lebanon goes from bad to worse

People have been taking to the streets lately in many Lebanese regions in protest of the increasing hours of power rationing, reaching unprecedented levels.      

In this regard, the residents of Aley and the neighboring regions cut off the international highway for a few hours on Friday afternoon to voice their discontent over “the unequal distribution of electricity”. This problem repeats itself in many other regions, except for the capital that is enjoying a special program.     

But herein lies the question: What is the reason behind the increasing hours of rationing? The advisor to the energy minister told LBCI that there have been no new investments in the electricity sector for the past 15 years, in the face of an increasing demand on this vital commodity, plus the overload resulting from violations.      

Ghajar added that most of the electricity plants are being maintained and the gas group of the Zahrani power plant is being detected. In addition to this, Egypt and Syria halted their electricity supplies to Lebanon.     

While Lebanon needs 2400 Megawatts, the electricity production does not exceed 1300 Megawatts. It may reach 1500 Megawatts next week.      

Yet, there is a glimmer of hope as the issue of renting electricity generating vessels will soon be tackled, and will be ready at the end of the spring.