Israel faced a complete system breakdown Sunday, as a result of frequent and widespread electrical blackouts all across the country.

The blackouts, initiated by the Israel Electric Company in an effort to ease an electricity load that was the result of Sunday's heat wave, may result in losses worth tens of millions of dollars to the Israeli economy. Overall, Sunday's losses might reach tens of millions of dollars, from damages caused to industrial plants and places of business, in particular where no electric generator or backup system were installed, Ynetnews reported.

Blackouts were reported also in Tel Aviv area on Monday. On Sunday, the blackouts started at about 11 a.m. Sunday and lasted until after 5 p.m., Jerusalem Post reported.

Israel Electric has been claiming the problem stems from a lack of electricity reserves.

© 2006 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)