A major power outage could soon put western Libya in a total blackout. The main valve of the main gas line feeding the Zawia power station was turned off by alleged fuel smugglers.. The cold winter weather has put Libya's power generation capabilities under great strain, increasing the demand for diesel fuel and ultimately causing outages in the eastern part of the country.

The General Electricity Company of Libya (GECOL) has warned that there could be a total blackout in Libya’s electricity network if the blockade of the main fuel pipeline continues.

“If the closure does not end, we will be ready for a total blackout in the west of Libya.” Al-Zawiya Oil Refinery elaborated.

The power outages are also believed to be connected to the internecine squabbling between Libya's rival factions in the wake of Qaddafi's overthrow in 2011.