Power cuts have been doubled in some areas reaching 14 to 15 hours per day, citizens have said. In Beirut, which usually enjoys the highest supply of electricity, rationing hours have been increased to six instead of four hours in normal days.

Angered by the increasing power outages amid this hot weather, citizens of Akkar staged long protests yesterday, blocking the main road until today morning, when Security forces re-opened roads allowing cars to pass.
 
EDL’s CEO, Kamal Hayek, told Arabic daily, Assafir newspaper on Thursday that the power plants are operating in their full capacity, attributing the increasing rationing times to the additional pressure exerted on the plants, which caused the mal functioning of several power transformers in different regions.

The company is also enduring a shortage in fuel needed to operate plants. According to Assafir, Syria and Egypt, also suffering from overwhelming heat have stopped selling energy to Lebanon, on increasing domestic demand.

Local demand for power has peaked in recent days to 2,600 MG, while EDL’s total capacity still stands at 1,500 MG, the company said.

Media reports said that owners of private generators across some areas have started blackmailing citizens, illegally raising fees, to $60 for each 5 amperes in the South, and to over $250 per 10 amperes in Mount Lebanon.

Conditions are expected to worsen with experts from the Center for Agricultural Studies forecasting the heat wave to continue for the days to come.

The Ministry of Energy has unveiled last month a promising five year plan, to end the power crisis, for a whopping investment of $4.8 billion.  But executing the plan still requires the approval of the 2010 draft budget, as well as obtaining the needed funds.

Energy and Water Minister, Gebran Bassil, warned of complete blackouts in the country, if the plan is not carried out within the five years framework.