- Algeria has pledged to “immediately” supply fuel to Lebanon to help resolve the country’s severe electricity crisis, according to the Lebanese government.
- Lebanon’s electricity sector has been crippled by a nationwide power outage after the Zahrani Power Plant, the last operational facility, went offline due to a fuel shortage.
In a move to alleviate Lebanon’s severe electricity shortage, Algeria has pledged to “immediately” supply fuel to the country, according to a statement from the Lebanese government on Sunday. Algerian Prime Minister Nadir Larbaoui informed Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati during a recent phone call that fuel supplies would be sent promptly to address the ongoing crisis.
Lebanese Prime Minister Mikati expressed his gratitude to Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, acknowledging the critical support Algeria has provided to Lebanon. This assistance comes as Lebanon grapples with a nationwide power outage triggered by a lack of fuel at its critical power production facility.
The Zahrani Power Plant, Lebanon’s most vital electricity generation station, went offline on Saturday, August 17 2024 due to running out of fuel. This shutdown has led to widespread power outages affecting essential services, including Rafik Hariri International Airport, the Port of Beirut, prisons, wastewater treatment plants, and drinking water pumping stations. The Zahrani Plant, located in southern Lebanon, was the last operational plant in the country, supplying a significant portion of Lebanon’s electricity needs.
Lebanon’s electricity production has sharply declined over the past few years due to the government’s severe financial difficulties. The inability to secure foreign currency for fuel imports has exacerbated the crisis, dramatically reducing power generation. Previously, Lebanon’s electricity output ranged between 1,600 and 2,000 megawatts daily, but recent shortages have pushed production to unprecedentedly low levels.
Algerian officials have not commented immediately on the fuel shipment. However, this intervention is expected to provide crucial temporary relief to Lebanon’s strained power sector. The move highlights Algeria’s continued commitment to supporting Lebanon amidst its economic challenges and power infrastructure issues.
The Lebanese government hopes that Algeria’s fuel supply will help mitigate the immediate effects of the power outage and contribute to stabilising the country’s electricity supply as it works towards longer-term solutions to its energy crisis.