In 2023, electricity consumption in Lebanon revealed a critical juncture between fossil fuels and low-carbon energy sources. More than half of Lebanon's electricity, approximately 53%, is derived from fossil fuels, known for their negative environmental impacts such as air pollution and climate change. However, a remarkable 47% comes from low-carbon sources, with solar power alone contributing to nearly a third of the total electricity and hydropower making up approximately 15%. There is a clear opportunity to enhance these environmentally friendly technologies, particularly solar energy, given Lebanon's considerable solar resource potential.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, Ember and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Lebanon?
Despite efforts to move towards cleaner energy, overall electricity consumption in Lebanon has seen a significant decline. As of 2023, electricity consumption plummeted to 783 kWh/person, a stark drop from the 2019 high of 3741 kWh/person—a decrease of 2959 kWh/person. In contrast, low-carbon electricity generation saw a modest increase, with the latest statistics showing 371 kWh/person, up by 24 kWh/person compared to the previous year. This positive but small increase in clean electricity generation stands as a beacon of hope amid the broader decline in overall electricity consumption. It highlights the crucial need to amplify clean energy sources to not only bridge this gap but expand Lebanon's electricity infrastructure to support economic growth and technological advancements.
Suggestions
To further enhance Lebanon's low-carbon electricity generation, expanding existing solar energy infrastructures should be a priority. Learning from regions with successful low-carbon energy initiatives could be beneficial. For instance, Denmark has effectively harnessed wind energy, generating 60% of its electricity from this source. While wind might not suit Lebanon uniformly, the success of nuclear energy in countries such as France and Slovakia could offer a significant lesson. With over two-thirds of their electricity derived from nuclear energy, these examples demonstrate that Lebanon could consider developing nuclear energy alongside expanding solar power to establish a more robust and sustainable electricity system.
History
Historically, Lebanon's journey with low-carbon electricity has experienced fluctuating dynamics, primarily in hydropower. In the 1980s and 1990s, hydropower faced minor and major setbacks with a decline of 0.2 TWh in 1982 and 1999, respectively. However, from the early 2000s to the past decade, sporadic increases were noted, notably a 0.6 TWh growth in 2003 and 2019. Recently, the solar sector has shown promise with an ongoing growth pattern, evidenced by an increase of 1 TWh in 2022 and a further 0.1 TWh in 2023. These positive strides in solar energy need to be vigorously supported to ensure Lebanon moves towards a sustainable and greener electricity future.
