Libya’s National Transitional Council (NTC) has said citizens will not have to pay for electricity they consumed in 2011, but commercial and industrial businesses will still need to pay.

In a statement, the NTC said the resolution has been authorised by the General Electric Company of Libya (Gecol).

The NTC has decided it will not collect domestic charges from 2011, in an attempt to provide financial support to Libyans affected in 2011 by the conflict between rebels and forces loyal to former leader Muammar Gaddafi. “People need their salaries now. This is the reason why they will not be charged for power,” says a spokesperson from the NTC.

Almost all of Libya’s on-grid power consumption takes place on the country’s coastline where population concentration is highest. Tripoli consumes the most, followed by the central and western regions.