Egypt has halted all LNG exports beginning in May as lower domestic natural gas production has forced the North African country to divert supply to local power demand during the summer months.

Last year was Egypt’s hottest summer on record, with temperatures surpassing 95 F. This summer is forecast to have similar temperatures. Egypt’s Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy has already resorted to daily power cuts since mid-April in some regions of the country to reduce gas consumption.

Egypt’s energy minister Tarek El-Molla noted in February that Egypt had stopped liquified natural gas exports last summer, and warned it may again this summer.

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