Lebanon averts nationwide blackout by paying part of debt – The National

Lebanon averts nationwide blackout by paying part of debt – The National

An overnight nationwide blackout of state electricity in Lebanon was averted after Lebanese authorities paid off some of the debt it owes to the operator of the country’s only functioning power plants.

On Wednesday, Lebanon’s state electricity company announced that the Zahrani and Deir Ammar power plants would close at 5pm because operator Primesouth had not been paid — in fresh dollars — by the government.

The two power stations — which are alternated to ensure there is enough fuel in an effort to prevent a nationwide blackout — are the only ones still operating in Lebanon.