{{Short description|none}} <!-- "none" is preferred when the title is already sufficiently detailed; see [[WP:SDNONE]] --> {{AI-generated|date=September 2025}} [[File:Map of Lebanon.png|thumb|Map of Lebanon]]
'''Energy in Lebanon''' is heavily reliant on imported [[Fossil fuel|fossil fuels]], which has led to significant challenges in ensuring a stable and sufficient supply of [[electricity]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Lebanon - Countries & Regions - IEA |url=https://www.iea.org/countries/lebanon |access-date=6 July 2020 |website=IEA}}</ref> The country’s energy sector has been severely affected by a combination of internal political instability, external conflicts, and systemic corruption.
The reliance on imported energy, along with growing demand and frequent problems with infrastructure, has caused an ongoing [[energy crisis]]. This crisis has become worse over the years, because of the destructive effects of military conflicts involving [[Hezbollah]], mainly the wars against [[Israel]] and the [[Syrian civil war]], which took a heavy tole on the country's infrastructure and economy.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tamo |first=Omar |date=2024-08-17 |title=Lebanon Faces Power Blackout as Clashes With Israel Intensify |url=https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/investing/2024/08/17/lebanon-faces-power-blackout-as-clashes-with-israel-intensify/ |access-date=2024-08-18 |website=BNN Bloomberg |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last1=Karam |first1=Matthieu |date=2018-01-31 |title=Électricité au Liban : ce qu'il faut savoir pour comprendre une crise qui va crescendo |url=https://www.lorientlejour.com/article/1097035/electricite-au-liban-ce-quil-faut-savoir-pour-comprendre-une-crise-qui-va-crescendo.html |access-date=2020-02-26 |website=L'Orient-Le Jour |language=fr}}</ref><ref name=":11">{{cite web |date=2019-10-25 |title=Electricité du Liban, symbole de la faillite des élites politiques |url=https://www.lopinion.fr/edition/international/electricite-liban-symbole-faillite-elites-politiques-201337 |access-date=2020-02-27 |website=L'Opinion |language=fr}}</ref> In August 2024, the situation reached a critical point when fuel reserves were completely depleted, leading to a [[2024 Lebanon blackout|nationwide blackout]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=2022-08-26 |title=Lebanon seeks urgent solution to electricity crisis to avoid blackout |url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/2151021/middle-east |access-date=2024-08-18 |website=Arab News |language=en}}</ref>
In 2009 the primary energy use in Lebanon was 77 TWh, 18 MWh per capita.<ref>[http://www.iea.org/textbase/nppdf/free/2011/key_world_energy_stats.pdf IEA Key energy statistics 2011] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111027013037/http://www.iea.org/textbase/nppdf/free/2011/key_world_energy_stats.pdf |date=2011-10-27 }} Page: Country specific indicator numbers from page 48</ref><ref name="jpost1021">[https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/fuel-shortage-in-lebanon-leaves-the-country-without-power-681499 Lebanon power outage will last several days, official says]</ref> By 2019, the total solar PV capacity was 78 MW,<ref>{{Cite journal |date=March 2021 |title=The 2019 Solar PV Status Report for Lebanon |url=https://lcec.org.lb/sites/default/files/2021-04/LCEC1.pdf |journal=Lebanese Center for Energy Conservation |pages=20}}</ref> and it reached 1300 MW at the end of 2023.<ref name=":2">{{cite web | url=https://www.lorientlejour.com/article/1414220/vers-la-fin-du-boom-des-panneaux-solaires-au-liban-.html | title=Vers la fin du boom des panneaux solaires au Liban ? | date=18 May 2024 }}</ref>
== Overview == {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right" |+ Energy in Lebanon<ref name=IEA20116>IEA Key World Energy Statistics [http://www.iea.org/textbase/nppdf/free/2011/key_world_energy_stats.pdf 2011], {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111027013037/http://www.iea.org/textbase/nppdf/free/2011/key_world_energy_stats.pdf |date=2011-10-27 }} [http://www.iea.org/textbase/nppdf/free/2010/key_stats_2010.pdf 2010], {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101011091637/http://www.iea.org/textbase/nppdf/free/2010/key_stats_2010.pdf |date=2010-10-11 }} [http://www.iea.org/textbase/nppdf/free/2009/key2009.pdf 2009], {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131007042901/http://www.iea.org/textbase/nppdf/free/2009/key2009.pdf |date=2013-10-07 }} [http://www.iea.org/textbase/nppdf/free/2006/key2006.pdf 2006] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091012043312/http://www.iea.org/textbase/nppdf/free/2006/key2006.pdf |date=2009-10-12 }} [[International Energy Agency|IEA]] October, crude oil p.11, coal p. 13 gas p. 15</ref> |- ! ! Capita ! Prim. energy ! Production ! Import ! Electricity ! CO<sub>2</sub>-emission |- ! ! Million ! TWh ! TWh ! TWh ! TWh ! Mt |- | align="left" | 2004 || 3.54 || 63 || 3 || 60 || 8.85|| 15.29 |- | align="left" | 2007 || 4.10 || 46 || 2 || 46 || 8.97 || 11.35 |- | align="left" | 2008 || 4.14 || 61 || 2 || 61 || 9.51|| 15.23 |- | align="left" | 2009 || 4.22 || 77 || 2 || 78 || 13.14 || 19.33 |- | align="left" | Change 2004–2009 || 19% || 23% || –26% || 29% || 48% || 26% |- | align="left" colspan=7 | <small> Mtoe = 11.63 TWh, Prim. energy includes energy losses. </small> |}
==Primary energy== Fossil fuels, primarily petroleum, provide the overwhelming majority of Lebanon's energy supply. Since the country produces negligible amounts fossil fuel, it is almost completely dependent on foreign imports. In particular, almost all energy in Lebanon comes from imported petroleum.
In 2023 Lebanon produced and consumed energy as follows (in units of quadrillion BTU):<ref>{{cite web |title=Lebanon |publisher=U.S. Energy Information Administration |date=2023 |url=https://www.eia.gov/international/overview/country/LBN |access-date=23 July 2025 }}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right" ! ! Production ! Consumption |- | Total energy | 0.007 | 0.249 |- | Coal | 0.000 | 0.004 |- | Dry natural gas | 0.000 | 0.000 |- | Petroleum and other hydrocarbon liquids | 0.000 | 0.237 |- | Renewables and other | 0.007 | 0.007 |}
== History == Electricity was first introduced in Lebanon by the French in the early 1900s, mainly to run tramways in [[Beirut]]. The Compagnie des Tramways et de l’Electricité de Beyrouth, founded in 1906, was the first company to provide electricity in Beirut. In 1923, this company merged with the Compagnie du Gaz et de l’Eclairage de Beyrouth, which had been founded in 1895, to form the Société des Tramways et de l’Electricité.<ref>{{Cite web |title=SOCIÉTÉ ANONYME OTTOMANE DES TRAMWAYS ET D'ÉLECTRICITÉ DE BEYROUTH |url=https://www.entreprises-coloniales.fr/proche-orient/Tramways_eclairage_Beyrouth.pdf |website=Entreprises Coloniales}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite book |last=Al-Saleh |first=Mohammed Ali |title=France, Syrie et Liban 1918-1946 Les ambiguïtés et les dynamiques de la relation mandataire |date=2013 |publisher=Presses de l'Ifpo |others=Robert Blecher, Jérôme Bocquet, Edmond Chidiac, Carla Eddé, Pierre Fournié, Abdallah Hanna |isbn=978-2-531-59447-0 |location=Damas |oclc=960811321}}</ref>
By the 1950s, electricity generation in Lebanon was managed by approximately 30 private companies operating in different regions.<ref name=":4" /> In 1954, the Lebanese government established [[Électricité du Liban]] (EDL) under the name Office d'Electricité et des Transports en Commun, marking the beginning of state control over the electricity sector.<ref>{{Cite web |last=جدلية |first=Jadaliyya- |title=On Power Cuts, Protests, and Institutions: A Brief History of Electricity in Beirut (Part One) |url=https://www.jadaliyya.com/Details/30564 |access-date=2022-05-02 |website=Jadaliyya - جدلية |language=en}}</ref> The government invested heavily in building infrastructure, such as the first major thermoelectric plant in Zouk, which began operations in 1956. Initially, the focus was on hydroelectric power, which by 1963, constituted more than half of the country's electricity production. The creation of the [[Qaraoun dam]] in 1961, feeding a series of hydroelectric plants, was a major achievement of this period.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2014-07 - EDL Conflict (starting July 11, 2014) |url=https://civilsociety-centre.org/timeliness/4924 |access-date=2022-05-02 |website=Civil Society Knowledge Centre |language=en}}</ref> However, due to favorable access to cheap fuel from Iraq and Saudi Arabia, Lebanon gradually shifted its focus to thermoelectric plants.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last=Sanlaville |first=Paul |date=1965 |title=L'électricité au Liban. |url=https://www.persee.fr/doc/geoca_0035-113x_1965_num_40_4_1787 |journal=Revue de géographie de Lyon |volume=40 |issue=4 |pages=367–379 |doi=10.3406/geoca.1965.1787}}</ref>
The nationalization of the electricity sector in 1964 allowed EDL to dominate the market; however, it coexisted with independent entities managing the hydropower plants on the [[Litani River|Litani]], [[Nahr Ibrahim]], and Bared rivers, as well as local distribution concessions in towns like [[Zahlé]], Jbeil, Aley, and [[Bhamdoun]].<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2006-05-19 |title=About EDL |url=http://www.edl.gov.lb/AboutEDL.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060519022913/http://www.edl.gov.lb/AboutEDL.htm |archive-date=19 May 2006 |access-date=2022-05-02 |website=}}</ref>
== Electricity == {{seealso|List of power stations in Lebanon}} Even after decades of investment, Lebanon's [[electricity generation]] capacity does not manage to meet the needs of its growing population. Back in August 2016, the peak electricity demand in the country was 3,500 MW, but the grid's total capacity was only 2,200 MW.<ref name="karp" /> This gap has led to frequent and widespread blackouts, forcing many Lebanese households and businesses to rely on private [[diesel generator]]s, which are both costly and environmentally damaging.<ref name="PT2019">{{cite news |title=Lebanon energy plan |url=https://www.power-technology.com/comment/lebanon-energy-plan/ |access-date=6 July 2020 |work=Power Technology {{!}} Energy News and Market Analysis |date=24 May 2019 |archive-date=7 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107234714/https://www.power-technology.com/comment/lebanon-energy-plan/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Moore2020">{{cite journal |last1=Moore |first1=Henrietta L. |last2=Collins |first2=Hannah |title=Decentralised renewable energy and prosperity for Lebanon |journal=Energy Policy |date=February 2020 |volume=137 |article-number=111102 |doi=10.1016/j.enpol.2019.111102 |bibcode=2020EnPol.13711102M |s2cid=211353979 |url= https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10086433/3/Moore1-s2.0-S0301421519306895-main.pdf }}</ref>
The situation deteriorated further in 2021 when [[Karpowership]], a Turkish company providing Lebanon with 370 MW of electricity through power ships, halted supplies due to payment arrears and legal disputes. This exacerbated the electricity shortages, leading to near-total blackouts across the country.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.the961.com/turkish-firm-cut-electricity-lebanon/ |title=Turkish Firm Just Cut The Electricity Supply To Lebanon |website=the961.com |date=14 May 2021 }}</ref><ref name="karp">{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/turkeys-karpowership-says-it-is-shutting-down-power-lebanon-2021-05-14/ |title=Turkey's Karpowership shuts down power to Lebanon |website=Reuters |date=14 May 2021 }}</ref><ref name="Gasplan">{{cite web |url=https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/1/107071/Egypt-to-export-gas-to-Jordan-to-secure-electricity-for |title=Egypt to export gas to Jordan to secure electricity for Lebanon: Beirut |website=Egypt Today |date=19 August 2021 }}</ref> In August 2024, the [[Algeria|Algerian]] government stated it will send immediate fuel supply, following the large blackout in Lebanon.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Algeria Provides Emergency Fuel Aid to Lebanon |url=https://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/Algeria-Provides-Emergency-Fuel-Aid-to-Lebanon.html |access-date=2024-09-17 |website=OilPrice.com |language=en}}</ref>
[[File:Lake Qaraaoun.jpg|thumb|Qaraoun dam]] [[File:Orhan Bey.JPG|thumb|[[MV Karadeniz Powership Orhan Bey|MV ''Karadeniz Powership Orhan Bey'']]]]
== Solar power == {{main|Solar power in Lebanon}}
In response to the energy crisis, Lebanon has seen a significant increase in solar power installations. The expansion of solar energy has been supported by the Net Metering policy adopted by [[Électricité du Liban|EDL]], which simplifies the legal and technical processes for individuals and companies to install solar systems.<ref>Decision No. 318-32 / 2011</ref> From a total solar PV capacity of 100 MW in 2020, Lebanon increased this to 450 MW by 2022, with all additions coming from off-grid solar systems installed by citizens and businesses.<ref>{{cite journal |author1=Issam Shabani|author2=Mohammad Chaaban|title=Technical Overview of the Net Metering in Lebanon|journal=Trends in Renewable Energy |date=2020 |volume=6 |issue=3|pages=266–284 |language=en-US|doi=10.17737/tre.2020.6.3.00126|doi-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Chasing the Sun - Day 2 | date=8 September 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qu0uSvmU2R4 |access-date=2023-04-12 |language=en}}</ref> A comprehensive survey of 150 municipalities across all Lebanese governorates reveals a substantial rise in the percentage of residential, commercial, and industrial units equipped with solar PV systems. The average per governorate increased from 3.3% in 2019 to 16.6% in 2023. <ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Fayssal |first1=Nora |last2=Al Tawil |first2=Lara |last3=Danageuzian |first3=Hrair |last4=Sabat |first4=Mira |last5=ElMerehbi |first5=Hana |last6=Darazi |first6=Dovan |last7=Sabat |first7=Macole |last8=Roukos |first8=Roy |last9=Abou Dargham |first9=Sara |last10=Romanos |first10=Jimmy |date=2024-05-01 |title=Navigating the water–energy nexus amidst the Lebanese economic crisis |url=https://iwaponline.com/aqua/article/73/5/917/102076/Navigating-the-water-energy-nexus-amidst-the |journal=AQUA: Water Infrastructure, Ecosystems and Society |language=en |volume=73 |issue=5 |pages=917–929 |doi=10.2166/aqua.2024.329 |issn=2709-8028|doi-access=free |bibcode=2024AWIES..73..917F }}</ref>
==Geothermal energy== {{main|Geothermal energy in Lebanon}}
==Natural gas== [[File: Arab_Gas_Pipeline.svg|thumb|Arab Gas Pipeline route]] Lebanon's efforts to diversify its energy sources have included the use of [[natural gas]]. The [[Arab Gas Pipeline]], which began operations in Lebanon in 2009, supplies [[Egypt|Egyptian]] natural gas to the [[Deir Ammar power station]], although this supply has been inconsistent due to regional geopolitical issues.<ref name=downstream201009>{{cite news | publisher= Downstream Today | url= http://downstreamtoday.com/news/article.aspx?a_id=18758 | agency = [[The McClatchy Company|McClatchy-Tribune Information Services]] | title = Lebanon Receives Egypt Gas To Run Power Plant | date = 20 October 2009 | access-date=24 October 2009}}</ref> In 2021, Lebanon announced a plan to re-route its natural gas imports through [[Jordan]] to produce electricity for the Lebanese grid via [[Syria]]. However, the implementation of this plan has been delayed due to logistical and political challenges.<ref name=Gasplan/> In January 2026 it was reported that a deal was signed between the Lebanon’s energy ministry and consortium made up of [[TotalEnergies]], [[Eni]], and [[QatarEnergy|Qatar Petroleum]] that will make a seismic survey in Block 8.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lebanon to sign Block 8 seismic survey deal, consortium may decide on drilling after surveys |url=https://www.lbcgroup.tv/news/lebanon-news/898606/lbci-lebanon-articles/en |access-date=2026-01-08 |website=LBCIV7 |language=en}}</ref>
== Challenges and future outlook == The energy sector in Lebanon remains fraught with challenges, including financial constraints, political interference, and corruption. The influence of Hezbollah and the ongoing conflicts in the region have further complicated efforts to reform and stabilize the sector. Reforms have been proposed, including increasing electricity tariffs to reduce subsidies and aligning electricity production with economic realities, but these have faced strong opposition given the already dire economic situation of many Lebanese citizens.<ref name=":2" />
Lebanon's future energy outlook will depend on its ability to implement long-overdue reforms, secure consistent fuel supplies, and expand renewable energy sources like solar and wind power. However, the path to energy stability is likely to be long and complex, requiring both domestic political consensus and international support.<ref name=":2" />
=== Hezbollah's influence === Hezbollah, a prominent political and militant organization in Lebanon, has significantly influenced the country's energy sector through its broader political and military activities. The group's involvement in regional conflicts, particularly wars with Israel and participation in the Syrian Civil War, has led to substantial damage to Lebanon's infrastructure, including energy facilities, and diverted resources away from critical investments. As a dominant political force, Hezbollah's control over certain regions and its strategic alliances have complicated efforts to implement necessary reforms in the energy sector. Moreover, international sanctions linked to Hezbollah's activities have isolated Lebanon economically, making it difficult for the country to secure foreign investments and partnerships essential for developing its energy infrastructure.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Serim |first=Sena |title=Lebanon plunges into darkness as last power plant runs out of fuel |url=https://www.trtworld.com/middle-east/lebanon-plunges-into-darkness-as-last-power-plant-runs-out-of-fuel-18197137 |access-date=2024-08-18 |website=Lebanon faces nationwide power outage after fuel shortage |language=en}}</ref>
These factors have contributed to Lebanon's ongoing energy crisis, characterized by frequent power shortages and heavy reliance on costly fuel imports. In August 2024, the situation reached a critical point when fuel reserves were completely depleted, leading to a [[2024 Lebanon blackout|nationwide blackout]].<ref name=":3" />
== 2025 == By 2025, Lebanon’s energy sector had made some progress, but many problems remained. The government received a US$250 million loan from the [[World Bank]] to help improve the electricity sector, repair the power grid, and strengthen management, including creating a long-delayed electricity regulator.
Renewable energy, especially solar power, continued to grow, mostly through private and small-scale systems, making up almost one third of total electricity capacity. Several new solar power contracts were signed and updated national plans stressed the need to upgrade the electricity grid and add energy storage. At the same time, offshore oil and gas exploration made little progress, keeping Lebanon dependent on imported fuel. Ongoing power cuts, heavy use of diesel generators, lack of funding, and political instability continued to slow recovery of the energy sector.<ref>{{Cite web |last=TheBeiruter |title=The Beiruter {{!}} Lebanon’s electricity sector: a path to reform |url=https://www.thebeiruter.com//article/lebanon%E2%80%99s-electricity-sector-a-path-to-reform/144 |access-date=2025-12-21 |website=TheBeiruter |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Jowett |first=Lebanon’s Ministry of Energy has entered into power purchase agreements with France’s CMA CGM for three solar projects each with a capacity of 15 MW Patrick |date=2025-09-25 |title=Lebanon inks three PPAs for 45 MW of solar |url=https://www.pv-magazine.com/2025/09/25/lebanon-inks-three-ppas-for-45-mw-of-solar/ |access-date=2025-12-21 |website=pv magazine International |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2025 |title=RENEWABLE ENERGY CAPACITY REACHES 1,297 MW AT END-2024, GROWS BY 18% DURING 2015 -24 PERIOD |url=https://www.ice.it/it/news/notizie-dal-mondo/283916?utm_}}</ref>
== See also == {{Commons category|Energy in Lebanon}} * [[List of power stations in Lebanon]] * [[Trans-Arabian Pipeline]] * [[List of renewable energy topics by country and territory]] * ''[[MV Karadeniz Powership Orhan Bey]]'' * ''[[MV Karadeniz Powership Fatmagül Sultan]]''
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Middle East topic|Energy in}} {{Middle East topic|Energy policy of}} {{Renewable energy by country}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lebanon, Energy In}} [[Category:Energy in Lebanon| ]] [[Category:Economy of Lebanon]]