In Lebanon, as of 2023, the electricity landscape displays a significant effort towards balancing its sources. Over half of Lebanon's electricity, around 53%, is derived from fossil fuels, which contribute significantly to air pollution and climate change. However, a promising 47% comes from low-carbon sources, showcasing a commitment to greener alternatives. Within the low-carbon bracket, solar energy dominates, contributing roughly 31%, while hydropower accounts for about 15%. Despite this positive trend towards cleaner electricity, the heavy reliance on fossil fuels remains a major concern.
Is Electricity Growing in Lebanon?
The state of electricity consumption per person in Lebanon tells a concerning story about the overall growth in electricity usage. In 2023, the consumption has drastically decreased to about 783 kWh per person from a high of 3741 kWh per person in 2019. This decrease of almost 3,000 kWh is indicative of significant challenges that Lebanon might be facing in scaling up its electricity supply. While it's heartening to note a slight improvement in low-carbon electricity generation—up by 24 kWh per person compared to last year's record—the overall reduction signals a missed opportunity for growth in electricity availability which is much needed to support future electrification and technological advancements.
Suggestions
Looking towards the future, Lebanon could greatly benefit from expanding its solar infrastructure, as it already plays a significant role in the country's low-carbon generation. Learning from regions with remarkable achievements in harnessing low-carbon energy—such as France, which generates around 69% of its electricity from nuclear energy, and Sweden, with a sizeable share from both wind and nuclear—can provide valuable insights. Embracing a similar approach by increasing both solar and nuclear energy capacities would enable Lebanon to decrease its dependency on fossil fuels, ultimately improving energy security and sustainability.
History
Historically, Lebanon's low-carbon electricity generation has experienced fluctuations, mostly influenced by hydropower and the recent introduction of solar power. In the 1980s and 1990s, hydropower saw minimal changes, generally declining or increasing incrementally by 0.2 TWh in various years. More notable changes occurred post-2000, such as the 0.7 TWh increase in 2003. Unfortunately, declines were also present, notably a significant drop in 2014 by 1 TWh. In 2021, solar energy entered the scene, contributing 0.2 TWh, and further increased by 1 TWh in 2022, highlighting the potential for solar expansion in Lebanon's energy landscape. This recent advancement in solar power should be seized as a building block for future low-carbon electricity generation expansion.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.