In 2023, Lebanon's electricity consumption shows a mixture of fossil fuel dependency and significant contributions from low-carbon sources. Fossil fuels account for just over half of the electricity generation in the country, standing at 53%. Meanwhile, a promising 47% of the electricity comes from low-carbon sources, including solar power, which makes up nearly a third of the total consumption, and hydropower, contributing about 15%. This composition not only highlights Lebanon's strides toward a cleaner energy future but also indicates the need for continued efforts to transition further away from fossil fuels to mitigate climate change and reduce pollution.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, Ember and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Lebanon?
Despite this progress in low-carbon electricity generation, Lebanon's overall electricity consumption per person has dramatically decreased in recent years. In 2023, the total electricity consumption per person is 783 kWh, which is a stark reduction from the 2019 high of 3741 kWh per person. This represents a decrease of nearly 79%, reflecting significant challenges within the country's energy sector. On a positive note, the generation of low-carbon electricity is on an upward trajectory, with an increase from 346 kWh per person in 2022 to 371 kWh in 2023, marking a 7% improvement. While these gains in clean energy are encouraging, the overall decline in electricity consumption suggests a pressing need for infrastructure development and investment to boost and sustain electricity availability.
Suggestions
To further enhance its low-carbon electricity generation, Lebanon could focus on expanding its solar capabilities, leveraging the large contributions already being made by this technology. Additionally, Lebanon can draw lessons from regions that have successfully harnessed other low-carbon energy types. Countries like France and Slovakia showcase the potentials of nuclear energy, with 70% and 66% of their electricity coming from this source respectively. Likewise, states such as Iowa and Denmark, with wind energy making up 60% and 58% of their electricity generation, highlight the benefits of comprehensive investment in wind technology. By looking at these models, Lebanon can explore diversifying its clean energy portfolio, incorporating solar and potentially nuclear energy, to secure a sustainable and robust energy future.
History
Historically, Lebanon's low-carbon electricity generation has seen various shifts, primarily dominated by hydropower fluctuations and recent increases in solar energy output. In the 1980s and 1990s, the country's hydropower generation experienced minor variances, with both declines and increases, but no major growth. Entering the 21st century, hydropower saw more noticeable changes, with incremental gains in the early 2000s followed by a notable decline in 2014, and another uptick in 2019. The post-2020 era marked a decisive change with solar power beginning to contribute more significantly, demonstrated by growth spurts in 2021 and 2022. These patterns underscore Lebanon's potential to augment its hydro and solar capabilities, while indicating room for further diversification into other low-carbon sources to ensure energy resilience and sustainability.
