Qatar’s prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, has announced plans for what he called a “massive” solar power plant in Lebanon, aimed at easing the country’s energy crisis. He made the announcement on Friday during a visit to Beirut, after meeting his Lebanese counterpart, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.
Sheikh Mohammed said the two sides had agreed on a broad framework for cooperation in the energy sector and on finding workable solutions. He described the plan as a major investment that would benefit the Lebanese economy as well as the Qatari companies and entities taking part.
Solar project with TotalEnergies at no cost to Lebanon
QatarEnergy has reached an agreement with the French company TotalEnergies to develop a solar power plant in Lebanon jointly, as an initial project. Salam said he would put the plans for Lebanon’s electricity sector to the Lebanese Cabinet soon.
Salam said Qatar would finance and carry out the work. “The Qatari side will fund, implement and activate the project without any cost on the Lebanese state,” he said, adding that such a move was important given the country’s financial crisis.
Lebanon’s indebted state electricity company
Lebanon’s state electricity company is one of the largest sources of debt in the country, having lost about $40bn over past decades. It has a bloated workforce and outdated infrastructure, and it supplies only a few hours of electricity a day.
Until a year ago, the state took advances from the Central Bank when diesel fuel ran out. Sheikh Mohammed said Doha stood in “solidarity with the Lebanese people” and the wider region “in this dire hour”. Lebanon has faced several energy crises in recent years, worsened by its financial collapse and Israel’s ongoing assault.
Talks focus on southern Lebanon and reconstruction
Earlier on Friday, the Qatari prime minister also met Lebanon’s president and parliament speaker. Among the topics was the situation in the south, where Israel continues its assault and has captured dozens of towns and villages.
Sheikh Mohammed said “Israeli violations within the Lebanese territories” formed a large part of his talks. He said Israel should withdraw from Lebanon and stop its attacks, adding that Qatar is working with the United States to prepare the groundwork for reconstruction in the south so displaced people can return home.
Israeli attacks have continued despite a ceasefire agreed in June. Under the US-brokered deal, the Lebanese government is to disarm the Iran-backed Hezbollah, while Israeli forces would gradually pull back from areas they occupy. Hezbollah is not part of the agreement and has refused to disarm until Israel withdraws.
Lebanese authorities say Israeli attacks have killed more than 4,300 people in the country since March. About 1.2 million people were displaced at the height of the war. Most have since returned, but more than 300,000 remain displaced, according to the International Organization for Migration.
Salam thanked Qatar for its “continuous” support during some of Lebanon’s “darkest hours”.
