BEIRUT, Lebanon – Lebanon faced a new wave of crises as the last operational power plant, the Zahrani facility, ceased operations on Saturday, according to a report from Sawt Beirut International on X, citing Lebanon’s state electricity corporation, Électricité du Liban.
The shutdown marks a significant escalation in the country’s ongoing struggle with energy shortages, casting a shadow over essential services and daily life.
The Zahrani power plant, located in the south of the country, was the final holdout in a series of failing energy infrastructures.
Its closure means that electricity supply has come to a complete halt across Lebanon, including critical facilities such as airports, water and sewage systems, and medical institutions.
The Electric Corporation attributed the shutdown to the depletion of the plant’s oil reserves, resulting in an exhaustive blackout.
“The exploitation of the plant’s oil reserves has resulted in a complete interruption of the supply of electricity to all areas of Lebanon, including the basic facilities in the country,” reported Sawt Beirut International, reflecting the statements made by Électricité du Liban.
This severe disruption in power supply has had immediate repercussions. The South Lebanon Water Establishment warned that the shutdown would significantly impair their ability to pump adequate quantities of water to the region.
This prompted the establishment to issue a public appeal, urging residents to minimize water consumption due to the power outages. The announcement, shared by Kan News, highlighted the critical link between electricity and water supply in the country.
“Please limit water use to a minimum due to the interruption of electrical services,” the South Lebanon Water Establishment stated, underscoring the dire situation.
The gravity of the power plant’s closure is further amplified by the broader context of Lebanon’s economic and infrastructural turmoil.
For months, the country has grappled with rolling blackouts, fuel shortages, and a collapsing economy, which have collectively eroded public confidence and exacerbated living conditions.
Despite the urgency of the situation, accessing timely updates and official communications has proven challenging.
The Jerusalem Post reported difficulties in reaching the Electric Corporation’s website, adding to the information void as residents and institutions scramble to adapt to the new reality.
In the wake of this development, Lebanon faces a multidimensional crisis that extends beyond the immediate power outage.
The shutdown threatens to disrupt essential services, from healthcare to sanitation, complicating efforts to manage other pressing issues, such as the ongoing economic decline and the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The international community has expressed growing concern over Lebanon’s deteriorating situation. Calls for humanitarian aid and intervention are likely to intensify as the country navigates this latest setback.
The confluence of economic hardship, political instability, and now, a crippling energy crisis, paints a bleak picture for Lebanon’s immediate future.
For residents, the shutdown of the Zahrani power plant is a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities and challenges that lie ahead.
With critical infrastructure offline, the path to recovery seems fraught with obstacles, necessitating urgent action from both national leaders and the global community.