GECOL says western coast clashes have damaged power grid

The General Electricity Company of Libya (GECOL) said armed clashes in the western coastal region caused damage to components of the national electricity grid, leading to power outages in the city of Surman.

The company said the fighting damaged grid infrastructure, resulting in electricity supply disruptions caused by cut transmission lines, broken utility poles, and damaged transformers serving residential areas.

It added that, following an improvement in the security situation, it had taken all necessary technical measures to assess the damage and had begun repair work, with crews working to reconnect damaged lines and restore electricity to affected residents.

Libya’s national power grid continues to suffer from a generation shortfall, forcing the company to implement rolling blackouts, with outages reaching up to eight hours per day in some areas.

Western Libyan cities have recently witnessed protests over prolonged power cuts and deteriorating public services. Some groups, including the so-called Souq Al-Juma Movement, temporarily shut down government ministries and sovereign institutions before suspending the action, saying the state had responded to their demands.

On Tuesday, heavy clashes erupted in parts of Sorman and Al-Zawiya. Local sources reported casualties and injuries, as well as the escape of a number of inmates from Sorman prison. Authorities have not yet released a final casualty toll or full details of the incident.