Electricity in Lebanon in 2022

In 2022, the electricity consumption pattern in Lebanon was heavily reliant on fossil energy, which made up almost 87% of the total electricity generation. Low-carbon or clean energy sources, which are crucial in combating climate change and reducing air pollution, played a much smaller role. Hydropower was the most significant low-carbon source, contributing nearly 6% of the electricity, followed by solar power, which provided close to 3%. Net imports of electricity accounted for over 4% of the total share, indicating a dependency on external sources. This heavy reliance on fossil fuels is concerning given the global push towards sustainable energy solutions.

Suggestions

To enhance its share of low-carbon electricity generation, Lebanon can learn from countries that have successfully integrated significant proportions of clean energy into their electricity mix. Countries like France and Slovakia exemplify how nuclear power can dominate electricity generation, contributing more than 60%. In regions with abundant natural wind conditions, such as Denmark and Uruguay, wind energy makes up more than a third of their electricity generation. By looking at nearby countries like Greece, which generates around 22% of its electricity from solar power, Lebanon can see the potential for expanding its solar capabilities. Emphasizing local sources, adapting successful strategies from these nations, and investing in nuclear, wind, and solar power could significantly curtail Lebanon's fossil dependency.

History

Focusing on the historical trends in Lebanon, the progress of low-carbon electricity has been relatively stagnant but not without effort. During the early 1980s through the 1990s, there were mostly modest fluctuations in hydropower, with slight expansions and contractions, such as a notable decrease of -0.5 TWh in 1999 and a significant increase of 0.7 TWh in 2003. Moving into the 21st century, the trends continued with ups and downs, including a decrease of -1 TWh in 2014 and a recovery of 0.6 TWh by 2019. The emergence of solar power is a recent trend, with it starting to contribute from 2021, marking a slight but critical shift towards diversifying low-carbon sources. This modest but essential move into solar energy suggests a step in the right direction, although much more is needed to reduce fossil-fuel dependence significantly.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources