We’ve been hearing for weeks now about the political bickering in the Cabinet and Parliament regarding the electricity bill proposed.
If this keeps going the same way and it probably will, power rationing, currently at between 8 to 12 hours a day, especially in Beirut’s suburbs and other areas, will get worse by the summer of 2013. [Link]
My question is if our politicians are so damn worried about us Lebanese getting electricity, why don’t they propose alternative solutions such as solar panels?
Those are easier to install and definitely cheaper than the 1.2 billion dollar bill and more importantly, are environmentally friendly and help lower our energy costs.
If the problem is that they can’t steal money out of a solar panel project, then I suggest Lebanese elect candidates who really care about their well-being the next time.
nothing makes sense to these politicians if it means less money in their pockets.
away from politics, can anyone point me to where i can see the proposed plan for the 1.2 billion plan?
Solar panels are way more expensive than oil/coal/gas power. 1.2 billion worth of panels won’t provide shit worth of electricity.
Dear Najib,
I have to agree with you regarding the need for alternative solutions such as wind, solar, and hydro power.
However, I have a few comments and clarifications:
– While solar photovoltaic systems are cleaner, they are definitely not cheaper and require expensive batteries that frequently need to be changed,
– The above issue is being tackled by a project called “Net-Metering” to be launched within these two months by EDL (and that does not require a change in law). Net-metering would allow you to “store” your energy on EDL’s grid and use it back whenever needed (and no batteries will be needed anymore),
– A loan, the “NEEREA” (National Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Action), is available (and initiated by BDL). It provides interest-free loans for energy efficiency, renewable energy (such as Solar panels), green buildings and ecotourism with a repayment period of up to 14 years including a grace period of up to 4 years.
The above actions were put in place to achieve a target of 12% renewable energy share set by the government back in 2009 and to help in the implementation of the policy paper for the electricity sector set by the ministry of energy and water.
More info can be found on the LCEC website below
http://www.lcecp.org.lb/
The policy paper for the electricity sector can be downloaded from the link below (make sure to register before downloading)
http://www.lcecp.org.lb/policies.php?i=6
Wind power is now cheaper than natural gases per watt. Lebanon has a ton of wind, I just don’t understand what they’re waiting for, it makes perfect sense to use wind turbines. Less gas imports, less debt, more electricity. I guess what beirut drive-by said is right.
Mark,
Solar panels are among many alternatives the government can propose. Remember that along with the 1.2 billion dollars, we will have billions in losses every month due to the lack of collection and corruption and other matters.
So on the long run, it’s much cheaper to invest in them.
Plus if they are that expensive, I wouldn’t mind paying part of them but getting electricity all day long because its becoming unbearable these days.
Solar or Wind or even Water Energy could not totally replace the production of energy based on Oil! the problem is that the storage of Solar or Wind energy should be based on Batteries which are still very expensive and their life time is short! so it won’t be a real alternative. although i think that we still can use Solar Energy for lighting roads highways and venues which will decrease the consumption of fuel energy and will have a positive impact in reducing accidents cause by the absence of light on our roads !
Anyway such actions could never happen unless we change the culture of our society member … we should start caring for our benefits instead of caring for what those leaders says and do !
Choura2yak.com na3mol sawra ?
Here’s the link to the energy Bill:
http://www.energyandwater.gov.lb/pages.asp?Page_ID=59
I call this a “mawdou3 incha”. Chou ra2yak, I’m with you bel sawra 🙂
The bill is in the link on the bottom right side of the page
Anyone noticed that the bill has: “confidential” written on the end of each page… on a website.
Maybe some who don’t pay their bills should use this method leaving enough for the dues paying public. Check it out!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBWi3NtND68