Electricity planning
Lebanon has suffered from power shortages for years and years now. In 2018, peak electricity demand reached 3,500MW, with available power recorded at 2,050MW during peak periods. The demand for an overstressed electricity network has risen significantly since 2012 following the influx of around 1.5 million refugees from Syria.
In April, Lebanon’s government passed a long-awaited plan to reform its electricity sector, wishing to reduce daily blackouts for much of the country’s population. Lebanon’s Prime Minister Saad Hariri proclaimed: “This plan satisfies the Lebanese people because it will bring them electricity 24-7. It will also reduce the budget deficit.” This plan was first launched in April last year, but only a tiny progress was carried out due to the delay in forming the new government following parliamentary elections in May. The electricity plan contains short-term and longer-term goals, which both aim at bridging the supply shortfall.
The initial goal of the short-term plan was to secure 1,450MW of temporary power by 2020 to ensure installed capacity reaches 3,500MW and reduce blackouts. The temporary power units will be kept for a period of 3-5 years until permanent power capacity can be added to the national grid. Lebanon is already receiving temporary power from Turkish ‘power ships’ – adapted vessels off the coast that each supply more than 200MW daily under fixed-term contracts. These floating facilities have reportedly provided up to 40 per cent of Lebanon’s power capacity during peak hours.
Reducing supply shortfall is the primary focus of the new plan, however Beirut is also aware of its needs to establish its own power plants to ensure energy security in a time where regional political tension is increasing.
The new plan aims at building six new gas-fired power plants, by private developers, over the next six years to meet power demand and reduce reliance on temporary capacity. However, a number of regulatory and tariff reforms must be improved if Lebanon wants to attract interests from private and international developers.
If Lebanon would succeed in establishing a private power market, investing in networks and related infrastructure will be key in attracting investor support, as well as ending the issues with the collection of payments for power from residential and commercial users. Moreover, the frozen price of electricity tariffs should change if Beirut aims at attracting private investors.
In addition, Lebanon plans to supplement its new electricity programme with the integration of renewable energy. The main focus will remain on safe electricity spams and gas-fired capacity, however, the aim is to include clean energy such as wind energy, solar energy and water energy. If implemented, these renewable energy plants will produce enough energy to power minimum 80,000 homes.
Join our cause for the electricity planning in Lebanon. We want to achieve:
- cleaner and renewable energy plans
- ensure energy 24/7
- attract new international private developers
- improve the infrastructure and tariffs plans in order to attract investors
- reduce daily blackouts for much of the country’s population
- ending the issues with the collection of payments for power from residential and commercial users
- convince the government to establish a private power market for the electricity plan in Lebanon
If you also want to give Lebanon a safer, cleaner and resourceful place to live with electricity 24/7, join us in our cause and support the change!
