Libya’s General Electricity Company (GECOL) warned on Saturday evening of an imminent collapse of the national power grid after several units at the Zawiya power station went offline.
The company said that units 1, 4, 5, and 6 at the Zawiya plant were forced to stop working when a group of individuals shut down the gas pipeline feeding the station.
In a statement, GECOL warned that this development could cause a total blackout across Libya, as generation units risk going completely out of service.
The company urged the relevant authorities to intervene immediately to restore the gas supply and safeguard electricity production. It also highlighted ongoing challenges facing the power sector, including fuel shortages and the critical conditions affecting the national grid.
Libya has been in chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The county has for years been split between rival administrations.
Libya’s economy, heavily reliant on oil, has suffered due to the ongoing conflict. The instability has led to fluctuations in oil production and prices, impacting the global oil market and Libya’s economy.
The conflict has led to a significant humanitarian crisis in Libya, with thousands of people killed, and many more displaced. Migrants and refugees using Libya as a transit point to Europe have also faced dire conditions.
The planned elections for December 2021 were delayed due to disagreements over election laws and the eligibility of certain candidates. This delay has raised concerns about the feasibility of a peaceful political transition.
Despite the ceasefire, security remains a significant concern with sporadic fighting and the presence of mercenaries and foreign fighters. The unification of the military and the removal of foreign forces are crucial challenges.
