Saddi outlines private-sector energy strategy, gas plants and regional power links to boost Lebanon’s electricity supply
Energy and Water Minister Joe Saddi said Lebanon plans to expand electricity production through private-sector investment, including two modern gas-fired power plants, as current available capacity covers only about one-third of demand.
Speaking to LBCI’s Nharkom Said, Saddi said the ministry was pursuing multiple supply options to reduce dependence on any single source. These include potential electricity imports from Syria and Turkey, rehabilitation of the Jordan-Syria-Lebanon interconnection, and a proposed subsea cable linking Lebanon to Cyprus and eventually Europe.
He said gas purchase and transit agreements involving Jordan and Syria were ready for Cabinet consideration, paving the way for operating the Deir Ammar plant on gas.
Saddi also highlighted plans to expand solar and wind generation and said private investors had expressed interest, while stressing that major investments require financial and political-risk guarantees and continued reform of Électricité du Liban.
He said soaring global fuel prices following the March 2 war had sharply increased generation costs, after supply reached seven to nine hours daily in February without Treasury advances.
Saddi added that he would visit Washington with Finance Minister Yassine Jaber this month to discuss investment guarantees and electricity-sector reforms.
