The weekend read: What Lebanon’s default means for PV
Lebanon failed to make a bond payment of $1.2 billion due on March 9 – the first sovereign default in the country’s history. pv magazine looks at how Lebanon’s debt troubles are now starting to affect the development of renewable energy.
The Dutch startup helping accelerate Lebanon’s energy transition
FlexiDAO is using its software to track the production of solar power from four PV plants in the nation, in conjunction with the UN Development Program.
Solar is gaining traction in MENA region – but plenty of obstacles remain
Solar deployment continued to pick up in the Middle East and North Africa in 2019, the Middle East Solar Industry Association has said in its annual report.
Lebanon’s Tufail region may host planned 500 MW solar plant
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development is seeking consultants for a feasibility study for the project. The plant would be constructed on land owned by the Banque du Liban.
EBRD to help Lebanon’s solar plus storage tenders
The nation has plans for two ambitious renewable energy tenders but the procurement process is dragging and Lebanese institutions lack experience in designing such schemes. A solution will be provided by Europe.
Shortlisted bidders go forward in Lebanon’s 180 MW, 12-plant tender
Lebanon’s Ministry of Energy and Water has qualified 28 domestic and international firms to enter the next stage of a tender for 180 MW of solar generation capacity.
$200 million earmarked for green projects in Lebanon
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) yesterday unveiled details for Lebanon’s first Green Economy Financing Facility (GEFF), the largest thus far in the bank’s Southern and Eastern Mediterranean region (SEMED). The GEFF program is set to address key issues of energy security, efficiency and sustainability for the Middle Eastern country.
Lebanon aims to source 30% of heat and power from renewables by 2030
Prime minister has announced a tough new renewable energy target, which will build on the current ambition of generating 12% of the nation’s electricity and heat from renewables in little over a year’s time.
Price of solar keeps falling in Lebanon
According to a report from the United Nations Development Programme, the turnkey price for solar in the nation declined by around 17.4% between 2016 and 2017 – and by 79% over the last seven years. By the end of last year, cumulative installed Lebanese PV capacity reached 35.4 MW.
Solar manufacturing in the Arab region remains difficult, IRENA says
In a study on the potential for local manufacturing of renewable energy equipment in the Arab region, IRENA has assessed how three pilot Arab countries – Lebanon, Jordan and the UAE – where development of clean energy is currently strong, may host PV, CSP and wind energy industries. In all of them, however, there are currently few chances of seeing a rising solar and renewable energy manufacturing industry, due to a series of challenges, such as, among others, the lack of a qualified workforce, and favorable regulatory settings.
