The failure of importing companies to deliver diesel has triggered a new crisis for private generator owners, who are already struggling to secure its price in fresh dollars. This situation has led to a reduction in the operating hours of several generators, varying from one to another. The fate of the deliveries remains uncertain, threatening a complete blackout if the situation persists. Diesel is scarce, and state power plants barely provide one or two hours of electricity, while private generators often face outages lasting up to 24 hours as Lebanon's electricity supply has reached zero hours daily.
Although subscription bills to cover the state’s shortfall have become alarming, Lebanese citizens find themselves facing an even larger tragedy that threatens a return to using candles 24/7 amid severe generator rationing that may lead to a complete shutdown. What awaits the country? Dani Qadisho, a member of the central committee for private generators, explained to "Al-Markaziya" that "generators do not operate without diesel, and if the material is not provided, the generator owner is forced to shut down his generator. Consequently, each generator will continue to run until the diesel runs out if new supplies are not secured. Simply put, if the diesel runs out, generators will not be able to continue providing their services." He noted that "there is currently a significant shortage of the material, which is leading to a decrease in the electricity supply provided by private generators, and in reality, these generators have started to increase rationing hours due to a lack of diesel and funds to purchase it, aside from the ongoing tussle between the cartel of oil importing companies and the Central Bank."
Regarding the follow-up on the issue with the Ministry of Energy, he pointed out that "the state institutions are incapable and absent, as well as their components. The ministry is unable to secure diesel for the generators; it does not even provide fuel oil for the power plants." When asked whether the stock is sufficient for a certain period, Qadisho confirmed that "no generator owner can have a stockpile because the price is exorbitant in fresh dollars, and each generator owner fills their tanks day by day and pays for it from the subscription bills." He added, "The official pricing was calculated based on an exchange rate of 30,500 Lebanese pounds to the dollar at the beginning of August, while the dollar has risen by about 5,000 pounds, making it even more difficult to secure the price of diesel." He concluded, "The fate of the generators is linked to the delivery of diesel and the pricing that will be issued by the Ministry of Energy at the end of this month. If it is unjust and does not cover the costs of diesel, we will also move towards more rationing, and the operating hours will decrease, for instance, from 16 to 12, and from 12 to 7. The required response regarding pricing must consider the committee's suggestions, particularly regarding increasing the fixed portion set at 100,000 pounds for every 5 amperes, which used to equal $10 when the exchange rate was 1,500 pounds; today, we demand it to be calculated on the black market rate, along with including various expenses in the pricing. We have not yet reached a result in the ongoing negotiations with the ministry in this regard," urging it to "understand the committee's demands because generators replace it and provide electricity for citizens 24/7."
