In 2023, Lebanon's electricity consumption stands with a little more than half of its electricity coming from fossil fuels, at around 53%. Meanwhile, clean energy sources comprise nearly 47% of electricity generation. Solar energy leads the charge in low-carbon energy, contributing almost a third to the overall electricity mix, while hydropower adds a tad over 15%. This indicates significant strides towards cleaner electricity generation, essential for reducing pollution and combating climate change.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, Ember and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Lebanon?
In terms of overall electricity consumption, Lebanon faces a worrying downward trend. The current electricity consumption per person is 783 kWh, a sharp decline of almost 3,000 kWh from the record set in 2019. On a positive note, low-carbon electricity has seen an increase, with 371 kWh per person produced in 2023, an improvement from the 2022 record. Yet the overall drop in total electricity consumption indicates a need for increased development and investment to bounce back, preferably through clean energy advancements, to cater to growing electricity demands and the environmental challenges posed by fossil fuels.
Suggestions
Expansion of existing solar infrastructure would be an effective way for Lebanon to further increase low-carbon electricity generation. By looking at successful regions such as Denmark and Iowa, which generate roughly 60% and more than half of their electricity from wind, respectively, Lebanon can draw valuable lessons on integrating wind power while maintaining solar growth. Additionally, considering nuclear energy, France and Slovakia demonstrate the potential of this technology, generating above 65% of electricity from nuclear power. Lebanon could benefit significantly from replicating these examples, incorporating a robust mix of solar and nuclear power to transition toward a more sustainable electricity landscape.
History
Historically, the trajectory of low-carbon electricity in Lebanon has been somewhat inconsistent. Throughout the 1980s to the 2010s, hydropower experienced fluctuating growth, with occasional years of decline, notably a setback in the mid-2010s with a drop of 1 TWh in 2014. However, the 21st century has also seen positive developments, especially with solar energy, which started gaining prominence in 2021. In 2022, it experienced a commendable increase of 1 TWh, further complemented by a smaller yet positive increase in 2023. These recent milestones indicate an encouraging momentum towards a diversified and sustainable electricity generation matrix.
