LEBANON (Enmaeya News) - October 8, 2025

Enrique Blanco Armas, the Regional Director of the World Bank in Lebanon, announced that the World Bank has approved a new program to support Lebanon's energy sector, according to Nidaa Al-Watan.

“The program involves building a national control center, expanding renewables, upgrading infrastructure, and enacting reforms to cut costs and attract private investment,” Armas said.

Energy expert and attorney Christina Abi Haidar explained that the first solar plant in Lebanon, a 150 MW facility, will be owned by the Electricity of Lebanon (EDL).

The national control center, destroyed in the Beirut port explosion, will also be rebuilt. It will enable control of the power grid and more efficient electricity distribution.

Transmission and distribution networks will be rehabilitated to better absorb and distribute the new energy supply.

The program also includes efforts to upgrade the Litani River Authority’s hydroelectric plants, boosting electricity production from water sources.

Smart meters will also be implemented. These are essential for expanding renewable energy, curbing non-technical losses like electricity theft, and enabling consumers to sell excess solar power back to the grid.

Abi Haidar stressed that this is a loan, which means that Lebanon’s public debt will increase by $250 million.

If not implemented transparently and efficiently, the project could become an added burden on the country’s already strained finances.

However, if executed properly, the program could help diversify Lebanon’s energy mix and improve energy security through a combination of solar and hydropower.