Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has initiated a comprehensive approach to the energy sector in Lebanon, tackling issues from private generator bill regulation to restructuring the state-owned Electricité du Liban (EDL) into a corporate entity.
Salam chaired a meeting dedicated to addressing the private generator sector and the unjustified surge in billing rates. The meeting included relevant ministers and several security and judicial officials.
The attendees agreed on the necessity of enforcing the adherence to official pricing by generator owners and the installation of meters for subscribers. They also stressed intensifying consumer protection patrols in coordination with local authorities and security forces to detect violations.
Immediate legal action was emphasized, including referring violations to the judiciary and taking necessary legal measures such as confiscating non-compliant generators, to protect consumers and ensure continued service provision.
Minister of Economy and Trade Amer Bassat called on citizens to report violations via the hotline 1739 or through the ministry's app.
Transitioning Electricité du Liban into a Corporate Entity
Parallel to these efforts, as part of broader electricity sector reforms, Salam led a meeting of the Higher Council for Privatization and Partnership to discuss steps needed to transform EDL into a corporation.
The meeting included Energy and Water Minister Joe Sade, Economy and Trade Minister Amer Bassat, Minister of the Displaced and State Minister for Technology and AI Kamal Shehadeh, Justice Minister Adel Nassar, Labor Minister Mohammed Haydar, and Public Works and Transportation Minister Fayez Rassamni, alongside the Secretary-General of the Council of Ministers Judge Mahmoud Makieh and Sorina Murtada from the electricity sector regulatory authority.
Discussions covered the creation of the new company and ensuring worker rights during the transition period, as well as completing the valuation process of EDL's assets and facilitating their transfer.
These measures are part of a governmental plan to restructure Lebanon's electricity sector, enhance its financial sustainability, improve service quality, and increase the sector's ability to recover costs.
Seen as steps leading to a broader reorganization phase, these reforms aim to address longstanding issues in the electricity sector, enhance EDL's efficiency, and provide more stable and sustainable electricity supply.