Shortly after midnight on August 10, a serious technical incident disabled Lebanon’s main power station in Zouk, triggering repeated total outages across the electricity network. According to Électricité du Liban (EDL), the failure was caused by a loss of insulation in a connection device due to high humidity and unusually elevated temperatures. This issue led to overheating and the shutdown of the steam turbine at the Deir Ammar power plant (150 MW), disrupting the rotation of its main shaft.
The fault caused a cascading effect, leaving several regions, especially in northern Lebanon, without electricity. Technical teams are working to gradually reconnect the gas turbines at the Zahrani and Deir Ammar plants, as well as the reverse motors at Zouk and Jiyeh. Simultaneously, maintenance and cooling operations are underway to restart the steam turbine at Deir Ammar, a process expected to take about 24 hours.
EDL highlighted that such incidents are more common in summer when humidity exceeds normal levels and electricity production remains limited, increasing risks to high-voltage equipment. The company said it is using available fuel reserves to stabilize the grid and prioritize power supply to critical infrastructure, including Beirut’s international airport.
The power outage has also impacted water supply. The Beirut and Mount Lebanon Water Authority (EBML) reported that the Dbayeh treatment plant is partially shut down, with several pumps offline. As a result, water distribution hours in the capital and the Metn region will be reduced until power is fully restored. EBML urged residents to conserve water and thanked the public for their understanding and cooperation.
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