WTF
Explained: Footage Of Thick Smog Rising From Zouk Electric Factory
Videos of thick black smog coming out of the Zouk Power Plant circulated on social media yesterday, with the “worse than usual” sight prompting fearful and angry reactions from residents. This comes at a time where most of Lebanon’s regions only receive 1 to 2 hours of state electricity per day.
According to a Twitter thread shared by energy strategist Dr. Charbel Moussa, the thick smog is a result of Lebanon’s transition to using Grade B fuel oil. Facing an almost complete blackout, the Minister of Energy, Walid Fayad chose to utilize the 40,000 tonnes of this type of fuel oil that was stored at the Jiyeh and Zouk power plants.
This Grade B fuel oil is of much lower quality than what is usually used and requires a whole process of preheating that was probably not implemented by the power plants. According to Moussa, this meant that the combustion process did not go properly, causing unburnt fuel to exit out through the power plant’s chimneys.
Some believed this incident was a metaphor for the failures of Lebanon’s electricity sector, with billions in debt accumulated yet barely any electricity attained, and instead potentially harmful substances unleashed on the population.
The power plant lies in close proximity to dense residential areas in Zouk, this incident reflected fears about the plant transmitting diseases or harboring explosive potential in such a densely packed area.
The plant has previously gone through momentary shut downs due to the lack of fuel but some figures are calling for its operations to come to a complete stop.
This could potentially be very dangerous and have serious consequences on public health. We hope a solution is quickly found and people’s health and safety is secured.
https://t.co/IcjTaSOePi pic.twitter.com/hRrHQBcI2q
— LebanonFiles (@lebanonfile) September 6, 2022
According to a Twitter thread shared by energy strategist Dr. Charbel Moussa, the thick smog is a result of Lebanon’s transition to using Grade B fuel oil. Facing an almost complete blackout, the Minister of Energy, Walid Fayad chose to utilize the 40,000 tonnes of this type of fuel oil that was stored at the Jiyeh and Zouk power plants.
Many posted today photos of thick black smoke coming out of Zouk power plant.
— Charbel Moussa (@cmoussa81) September 6, 2022
What happened to cause this?
A thread pic.twitter.com/4jQ9lPazGt
This Grade B fuel oil is of much lower quality than what is usually used and requires a whole process of preheating that was probably not implemented by the power plants. According to Moussa, this meant that the combustion process did not go properly, causing unburnt fuel to exit out through the power plant’s chimneys.
Some believed this incident was a metaphor for the failures of Lebanon’s electricity sector, with billions in debt accumulated yet barely any electricity attained, and instead potentially harmful substances unleashed on the population.
— (@Doumit_Azzi) September 6, 2022
The power plant lies in close proximity to dense residential areas in Zouk, this incident reflected fears about the plant transmitting diseases or harboring explosive potential in such a densely packed area.
— Bassam Abou Zeid (@BassamAbouZeid) September 6, 2022
The plant has previously gone through momentary shut downs due to the lack of fuel but some figures are calling for its operations to come to a complete stop.
This could potentially be very dangerous and have serious consequences on public health. We hope a solution is quickly found and people’s health and safety is secured.