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Libya's extreme paradox: It produces 1.3 million barrels of oil per day and is in an energy crisis

2026-08-07 19:30:47Kosova&Bota SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX

Libya's extreme paradox: It produces 1.3 million barrels of oil per day and

Libya is one of the world's greatest energy paradoxes. A country that produces over 1.3 million barrels of oil per day, with vast hydrocarbon reserves and a population of only about 7.5 million, fails to guarantee stable electricity for its citizens.

During the summer, power outages have become a daily reality for millions of Libyans, with various areas of the country remaining without electricity for six to ten hours a day.

The crisis has affected businesses, families and basic services, sparking protests in Tripoli, Zawiya and Misrata, where citizens have demanded more stable supplies and the resignation of Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah.

One of the most symbolic episodes of desperation occurred in Tripoli, when the popular seafood restaurant Al Robyan offered free food in exchange for fuel for the generator.

"We've run out of earthly solutions," the restaurant wrote, a sentence that sums up the frustration of a country rich in energy but unable to turn it into a reliable supply. The crisis has hit the entire economy.

Drinking water factories have faced difficulties due to a lack of power for pumps and filters, while many restaurants and small businesses have been forced to close.

Many families have lost food stored in refrigerators due to long outages. The problem is not a lack of resources, but a failure to manage them.

About 70 percent of Libya's electricity is generated from natural gas, making the system highly dependent on gas production and infrastructure maintenance. But for years, investment has lagged behind, while new projects have been delayed.

To cope with the crisis, Tripoli also turned to Egypt. Cairo increased its electricity export capacity to Libya by about 43 percent, bringing it to 100 megawatts, but this covers only a small part of the real energy shortage.

Libya also paid off its outstanding debts to Egypt of about $90 million. At first glance, cooperation between the two countries seems logical: Libya has hydrocarbons, while Egypt has greater production and processing capacities.

But experts warn that this partnership does not solve the fundamental problem. "A country that imports electricity from Egypt is indirectly importing the risk of Egypt's gas," warned Karim Elgendy of the Carbon Institute.

Egypt itself is facing energy problems due to declining domestic gas production and has been forced to increase imports, including a major deal with Israel for gas supplies.

According to analysts, the roots of the Libyan crisis go back to 2011, when the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi plunged the country into a long period of political instability.

Since then, Libya has been divided between rival authorities in the east and west, creating a system where decision-making is often blocked by political interests.

Libya expert Jalel Harchaoui says the country has made a strategic mistake by not investing in natural gas production capacity. Although gas powers most of the electricity grid, no major new projects have been launched in years.

According to him, if this trend continues, Libya could reach the absurd point of being forced to import natural gas, despite the large reserves it has underground and at sea.

Corruption has been another factor that has deepened the crisis. Project delays, purchases of used equipment presented as new, and a lack of institutional control have further weakened the energy sector.

So Libya's history shows that natural wealth is not enough. Oil and gas can only create wealth when there are functional institutions, long-term investments, and political stability.

Otherwise, even a country with endless resources can remain in darkness.


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