Lebanon

“In the Lebanese context, electricity is a humanitarian need, directly linked to the provision of vital services and, to a large extent, to security and social stability.”

Lebanon Crisis Response Plan 2017-2020.

The explosion at the Port of Beirut 4 August 2020 was the latest of a series of overlapping and compounding crises in Lebanon. With the downward spiral in the country, Lebanon serves as an example of rapidly weakened markets and limited ability for people and local governments to pay and provide services in a time of acute need. Energy as both a contributor to and result of recent shocks is evident and suggests that the path towards recovery must include addressing energy needs at household, neighbourhood, city, and country level, as well as being made available for productive uses.

*See Annex 2 Lebanon Case Study for a more in-depth presentation of the governance system and production of energy in Lebanon.

96%

Fossil fuel as share of energy mix

92%

Displacement situation

Estimated 1.7million Syrian and Palestinian refugees, 17 per cent live in Beirut (one quarter of population).

Refugees in Lebanon officially termed “guests” and are in general barred from gaining Lebanese nationality and are only able to obtain work permits in certain sectors. Palestinian refugees prohibited from owning property and accessing state-provided services, such as health and education.

Electricy access

Provision through national grid and diesel generators. Access and rate of electricity per day varies, with fuel shortages driven by economic and financial crises, electricity outages increased from around 3 hours per day to 20 hours by July 2020 in Beirut.

Cooking energy

Most of population has access to clean cooking, including LPG. However, with the lack of fuel and hyperinflation, deforestation to get firewood for cooking and heating and forest fires an increasing problem.