The "Electricity of Lebanon" issued a statement stating: "Following the statement of the Electricity of Lebanon dated 04/01/2023, and based on Cabinet Decision No. 3 dated 18/01/2023, and the recommendations of the ministerial committee formed under item number 2 of the same decision, after the relevant authorities opened a documentary credit for the two tankers carrying fuel oil, with a total load of 33,000 metric tons each, and the commencement of unloading their cargo at the ports of Zahrani and Deir Ammar,
The Electricity of Lebanon reports that it has presented a comprehensive three-phase plan within specified timeframes, discussed with the relevant ministerial committee which issued its recommendations in this regard. This plan has also been presented to international donor agencies. Therefore, the Electricity of Lebanon announces that starting from noon today, the first phase to increase electricity supply has commenced by raising thermal production over the next few hours to reach 250 megawatts. The institution will maintain this level of thermal production until six key success factors are achieved, which have been identified with the relevant authorities from official administrations, concurrently with campaigns to remove illegal connections from 216 out of 800 distribution outlets, which equates to 27 percent of the total outlets. Should the essential success factors be realized by the relevant official administrations, a transition to the second phase is expected before February 10, 2023, where thermal production capacity will be increased to 450 megawatts. Notably, four key performance indicators have been established, the most important of which relates to the removal of illegal connections and revenue collection, and will be evaluated in each phase, especially during the second phase at the beginning of April 2023, before progressing to the third phase, during which thermal production capacity will be raised again to 585 megawatts, while continuing to periodically review performance indicators in the future.
If the key success factors of the first phase are not achieved by the relevant authorities, the Electricity of Lebanon will maintain thermal production at 250 megawatts and will suggest to the ministerial committee not to release any additional amounts from the advance granted under Cabinet Decision No. 3 dated 18/01/2023, amounting to $300 million, until the aforementioned key success factors are achieved.
It is also worth noting that the trials and performance related to the general maintenance of the steam unit at the Deir Ammar plant have been successfully completed by the manufacturing companies, particularly "Ansaldo" and "Siemens." The unit can be reactivated by the operators of the Zahrani and Deir Ammar plants as needed according to this plan.
The Electricity of Lebanon will keep the public informed of any updates regarding the implementation of the three-phase plan through subsequent statements."
