FAMAGUSTA GAZETTE — Electricity consumption in Israel soared to an all-time high on Sunday afternoon, reaching 15,806 megawatts, as the country battles a relentless heat wave.
The figure surpasses the previous record of 15,694 megawatts set in August 2023, according to the national grid operator Noga.
Temperatures are expected to climb even higher in the coming days, with forecasts predicting mid-40s Celsius in the Sea of Galilee, the Dead Sea, and Eilat.
Authorities have issued fire bans in open areas and public health warnings urging hydration and caution during peak heat hours.
The crisis is not confined to Israel.
In northern Cyprus, a massive explosion at a substation near Morphou triggered widespread power outages, plunging towns like Famagusta into darkness and disrupting water supplies.
The region’s electricity authority, Kib-Tek, is struggling to restore full service amid persistent faults at one of its two power stations. Emergency teams from Turkey have been dispatched to assist with repairs.
Meanwhile, the Republic of Cyprus is also under pressure.
The island’s power grid is operating near maximum capacity.
The combined strain across Israel and Cyprus underscores the vulnerability of regional infrastructure to climate extremes. With temperatures continuing to rise, energy authorities are racing to prevent further disruptions and safeguard essential services.