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Gas pipeline explosion in Syria knocks three power plants offline

2 min
Gas pipeline explosion in Syria knocks three power plants offline

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

A gas pipeline explosion in Eastern Ghouta, Syria, knocked the Deir Ali, al-Nasiriyah and Tishreen power plants offline on Wednesday, according to state-run SANA. The Syrian Electricity Company said the outage will increase power rationing hours due to dwindling electricity supplies. The fire is ongoing and the cause of the explosion has not yet been identified.

Key Facts

  • The Deir Ali, al-Nasiriyah and Tishreen power plants are out of service due to inadequate gas supplies following the blast.
  • The Syrian Electricity Company warned that the shutdown will increase power rationing hours.
  • The fire is ongoing and authorities have not identified the cause of the explosion.
  • Two previous explosions hit Syria's gas network in the past six weeks, both attributed to sabotage by the Syrian Petroleum Company.
  • The government increased diesel prices by up to 40 percent and petrol prices by 28 percent two weeks ago, citing global energy costs.

Power Plant Outages

The Syrian Electricity Company said the Deir Ali, al-Nasiriyah and Tishreen power plants were out of service because of inadequate gas supplies following the blast in Eastern Ghouta. Specialised teams are working to resolve the situation, the company said. The shutdown of the three plants will increase power rationing hours due to dwindling electricity supplies.

Recent Attacks on Gas Network

Prior to Wednesday's blast, Syria's gas network had been hit by two explosions in the past six weeks. The Syrian Petroleum Company said both incidents were a result of sabotage. No one has claimed responsibility for any of the explosions.

Public Anger Over Energy Costs

Syrians have complained about rising energy costs in recent months, with protests breaking out across the country two weeks ago. The government increased diesel prices by as much as 40 percent and petrol prices by 28 percent. It said the increases were temporary and caused by a sharp rise in global energy costs.

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