- 15:45
Electricité du Liban (EDL) collection agents occasionally remember to bill subscribers. Neighborhood generator operators, on the other hand, never forget the last day of the month. They collect payments even before reading meters, already knowing exactly how much they will extract.
The idea of EDL self-financing its fuel purchases remains wishful thinking as long as subscriber bills continue to pile up. Collections are still six months behind schedule despite the efforts of private companies responsible for meter readings and payment collection, commonly known in Lebanon as electricity service providers, which handle both technical and administrative tasks.
However, it is important to note that any performance evaluation of these service companies would be unfair without considering the impact of the October 19 revolution, the Covid-19 pandemic, the Beirut port explosion, the ongoing multidimensional crisis and successive conflicts between Hezbollah and Israel.
Renewal of Electricity Service Providers
The contracts linking the Ministry of Energy and Water to electricity service providers date back to 2012. They were established under the national energy plan by successive governments. The ministry has now extended these contracts to ensure continuity of public service while a new set of specifications is finalized.
At the same time, the World Bank is exploring a public-private partnership model, either through concession or leasing arrangements, pending the formation of the Energy Sector Regulatory Authority, which will define the sector’s organizational framework.
Self-Financing Kuwaiti Diesel
EDL announced that it can self-finance the purchase of 66,000 tons of diesel, representing half of the shipment offered by Kuwait to supply the country’s power plants. The cost, estimated at nearly $47 million, will be covered by fresh-dollar revenues collected from subscribers and deposited into EDL’s account at the Central Bank of Lebanon (BDL).
Minister of Energy Joe Saddi praised Kuwait’s support, noting that the emirate generously provided the other half of the shipment. He added that the price of the portion financed by the Lebanese State is well below any other possible offer but will be calculated based on the average international market rates five days before and five days after the unloading date.
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