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🛒 تسوق الآنLibya Faces Nationwide Blackout Risk as Mellitah Gas Complex Shutdown Continues
Libya Faces Nationwide Blackout Risk as Mellitah Gas Complex Shutdown Continues
NOC warns of cascading power grid collapse after protesters halt operations at Libya's key gas facility
Libya's National Oil Corporation (NOC) issued an urgent warning Tuesday that the continued shutdown of the Mellitah industrial complex could trigger a nationwide blackout, as halted gas supplies cripple power generation across the country. The warning came after a group of protesters stormed and closed the facility in the early hours of July 28, 2026.
The NOC confirmed that the disruption has already forced the complete shutdown of the Al-Fil oil field and partially affected production at Al-Wafa field, dealing a severe blow to Libya's energy infrastructure. "Mellitah complex is the primary source of gas feeding the coastal pipeline," the NOC stated in an official release.
Immediate Impact on Power Generation
The halt in operations at Mellitah has created an acute shortage of gas and fuel needed to run electricity production plants, the NOC said. Several power generation units have already gone offline as a direct result of the supply interruption. The General Electricity Company had issued repeated warnings in recent weeks about the consequences of declining gas flows.
The NOC warned that if the current situation persists, more generation units could be forced out of service, raising the risk of a widespread blackout and potentially a complete collapse of the national electricity grid. "The continued shutdown of operations at Mellitah does not only affect energy supplies but also carries risks related to facility and worker safety, complex technical challenges, and significant losses in production and national revenues," the corporation added.
Force Majeure Warning
The NOC stressed that it is monitoring the situation closely and reserves the right to declare force majeure if conditions prevent the resumption of operations. Such a declaration would have major implications for Libya's energy contracts and international obligations. The corporation emphasized that the oil and gas sector is a sovereign and vital facility, describing its installations as strategic assets that require protection from any acts that disrupt production or harm state interests.
"The safety of workers and maintaining the continuity of operational processes are our top priority," the NOC stated, calling on relevant authorities to intervene urgently to secure the Mellitah complex and protect oil installations.
Strategic Significance of Mellitah Complex
The Mellitah industrial complex is one of Libya's most prominent energy facilities, playing a central role in natural gas production and processing. It supplies the gas needed to operate power plants across the country, making any disruption in its operations directly felt throughout Libya's energy system. The complex handles gas from both the Al-Fil and Al-Wafa fields, processing it for domestic consumption and export.
The facility's strategic importance extends beyond Libya's borders, as it feeds the Greenstream pipeline that supplies gas to Italy, making European energy markets also vulnerable to the disruption. Mellitah is operated by Mellitah Oil & Gas B.V., a joint venture between Libya's NOC and Italy's Eni.
Calls for National Unity
The NOC appealed to all parties to prioritize the national interest and keep the oil and gas sector away from any disputes or practices that could affect the country's vital resources. This latest incident highlights the continued vulnerability of Libya's energy infrastructure to political tensions and local protests, a recurring pattern that has plagued the sector for years.
Energy analysts note that Libya's oil and gas sector has been repeatedly used as a pressure tool in political disputes, with facilities frequently shut down by armed groups or protesters. Each shutdown creates cascading effects across the economy, from power blackouts to revenue losses that strain state finances.
Libya currently produces approximately 1.2 million barrels of oil per day when fields are fully operational, though production has frequently been disrupted. The loss of gas supply from Mellitah threatens not only electricity generation but also industrial activity and desalination plants that depend on stable power supplies.
The NOC confirmed that technical teams remain ready to resume operations as soon as security conditions allow, but warned that prolonged shutdown could cause irreversible damage to equipment and wells, extending the recovery timeline even after access is restored.
— Libya Press / Economy Desk
