In 2023, Lebanon’s electricity consumption was split almost evenly between fossil fuels and low-carbon sources. Fossil fuels supplied about 53%, while clean electricity accounted for roughly 47%. Solar was the largest low-carbon source, providing almost a third of all electricity, followed by hydropower at about 15%. This substantial clean electricity share provides a foundation for reducing dependence on fossil fuels and their climate and air-pollution impacts.

Is Electricity Growing in Lebanon?

Electricity consumption in Lebanon has fallen sharply rather than grown. In 2023, consumption was just 783 kWh per person, compared with the 2019 record of 3,741 kWh—roughly 3,000 kWh less per person, or a decline of nearly 80%. This is a deeply concerning contraction as electrification and emerging uses such as AI increase the need for reliable electricity. Low-carbon generation, however, offered an encouraging contrast: it reached 371 kWh per person, exceeding the previous record of 346 kWh in 2022 by roughly 25 kWh per person. Clean electricity is growing, but much stronger expansion is needed alongside a recovery in overall electricity supply.

Suggestions

Lebanon should build on its existing solar success by expanding rooftop and larger-scale solar generation, supported by grid upgrades and electricity storage. It can also learn from geographically relevant places: wind supplies about a fifth of electricity in both Greece and Morocco, demonstrating another route to substantial low-carbon generation. Nuclear should also be considered as part of Lebanon’s long-term clean electricity strategy. Armenia generates about 29% of its electricity from nuclear, while the United Arab Emirates generates about 20%; France’s roughly two-thirds nuclear share illustrates its potential at greater scale. These examples offer useful lessons for planning, developing expertise, and building a diversified clean electricity system.

History

Lebanon’s low-carbon electricity history was dominated by fluctuating hydropower until solar began its recent expansion. Hydro generation fell by 0.2 TWh in 1982, then experienced mixed changes during the 1990s, including a substantial 0.5 TWh decline in 1999. Strong gains of 0.3 TWh in 2002 and 0.6 TWh in 2003 were followed by several declines through 2008, before growth resumed in 2009 and 2010. The 2010s brought further volatility: a 0.4 TWh increase in 2012 was followed by a sharp 1 TWh fall in 2014, with recoveries of 0.3 TWh in 2015 and 0.6 TWh in 2019. Hydro fell another 0.4 TWh in 2021, but solar provided a welcome new source of growth, increasing by 0.2 TWh that year, 1 TWh in 2022, and another 0.1 TWh in 2023.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade