Electricity in Lebanon in 2022

In 2022, Lebanon's electricity consumption was dominated by fossil fuels, which accounted for nearly 87% of the total electricity generation. This heavy reliance on fossil energy poses environmental and sustainability challenges, as it contributes significantly to climate change and air pollution. On the other hand, low-carbon electricity sources, including hydro and solar power, made up just over 9% of the electricity mix. Hydropower contributed close to 6%, while solar energy accounted for about 3%, illustrating a relatively small, but vital movement towards cleaner energy sources. Additionally, Lebanon imported about 4% of its electricity needs, highlighting the need for greater self-sufficiency through domestic clean energy production.

Suggestions

To increase low-carbon electricity generation, Lebanon can learn from various countries that have successfully expanded their sustainable energy production. Many European nations have made significant strides in nuclear and wind power. For instance, France and Slovakia generate more than half of their electricity from nuclear energy. Furthermore, Denmark boasts wind power making up approximately 59% of its electricity generation, and countries like Ireland and Uruguay each produce about a third of their electricity from wind. Lebanon, with its geographical and environmental particularities, could particularly benefit from integrating more solar and wind energy. Neighboring countries such as Jordan and Cyprus demonstrate potential strategies, reporting around 15% and 19% of their electricity from solar power, respectively.

History

Historically, hydropower has been a significant, albeit fluctuating, low-carbon energy source in Lebanon. During the early 1980s and into the 1990s, the country saw modest increases and decreases in hydroelectric production, with a general trend toward instability. Notably, in 1999 and 2014, Lebanon experienced significant drops in hydroelectric output, by 0.5 and 1 terawatt-hours, respectively. These fluctuations may have hindered the steady growth needed to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Nevertheless, in 2021, there was a small yet positive first step for solar energy, marking its initial contribution to Lebanon's electricity mix with a 0.2 terawatt-hour increase, setting the stage for future expansion in this promising sector.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources