Widespread Power Outage Hits Libyan Cities Including Capital Tripoli

Local Libyan media reported on Sunday evening that a widespread power outage hit several Libyan cities, including the capital Tripoli, Misrata, and cities in western Libya, amid continued drone attacks on power stations.

The media reported that the outage was caused by the Zawiya, Ubari, and Al-Khums power stations going out of service, resulting in the collapse of the electricity grid across southern, western, and central regions.

Anadolu Agency reported that areas and cities in western Libya once again experienced widespread darkness early Sunday due to power outages in the capital Tripoli and the cities of Zawiya, Sabratha, Sorman, and Gharyan, as well as areas along the coast and the western mountain region.

Libyan media said the Al-Ruwais, Zawiya, Southern, and Western power stations went completely out of service due to increasing pressure from heavy loads following the targeting of the Al-Harsha power station, cutting electricity to most areas of Tripoli and several cities along the coast and western mountain region.

Last Wednesday, eyewitnesses told Anadolu Agency that a drone targeted the Al-Harsha power station in Zawiya, causing a fire and a power outage, as part of a series of attacks targeting vital facilities in the city since August 8.

No party has claimed responsibility for the attacks, while authorities announced that investigations had been launched to determine the source of the drones and the parties that planned and carried out the attacks.

For years, the United Nations Support Mission in Libya has sought to address longstanding disputes between Libyan institutions that have prevented parliamentary and presidential elections in the oil- and gas-rich country.

Libyans hope that elections will bring an end to the political and armed conflicts and the prolonged transitional periods that have continued since the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi’s regime (1969–2011).