Lebanon approves electricity plan

• 2 years ago (2022-04-04)
• David Flin

Middle East 326 Transmission 191

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Lebanon’s cabinet has approved a plan to restructure the country’s electricity sector, a key requirement for donors and the World Bank to extend financing to alleviate the country’s power supply. The reform plan includes creation of an electricity regulatory authority this year, as well as a revised version of an earlier plan to increase electricity tariffs.

Lebanon has not had 24-hour electricity supply since the 1975-90 civil war. Periodic cash transfers to state utility Electricite du Liban have contributed to the country’s large public debt.

The Lebanese government has not yet made details of the revised plan public. Jessica Obeid, an associate at the Chatham House think-tank, said: “At this stage, the government needs to ensure the highest reliance on domestically available resources – renewable energy – to reduce the outflow of foreign currencies and keep the lights on.”