| 04 Nov 2009 |
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Lebanese power firm calls for electricity upgrade
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04 November 2009
BEIRUT: A Lebanese electrical company has called on minsters to implement plans that could revolutionize the country’s beleaguered energy industry. The Electrical Utility of Aley (E-Aley) has proposed solutions for Lebanon’s electrical generation and distribution through private and public sector collaboration.
“We aim to enhance overall delivery, and to start producing power, in Aley and other parts of the country so that the state and the public can finally benefit from sustainable, round-the-clock power that generates income for Lebanon, instead of draining state coffers at the tune of over $1 billion per year as it currently does,” said Albert Khoury, E-Aley’s deputy general Manager at a news conference on Tuesday.
Wind and other environmentally sound and cost-effective solutions are among the ideas the firm have suggested to cope with growing electricity needs, boost investment and meet general public demand.
E-Aley has been managing electricity distribution and payment collections in the Aley region and the nearby Souk al-Gharb, Bmekkin, Qmatiyeh Ain Saade and Ain al-Remmaneh since 2005. The company is one a handful in Lebanon that have concessions from the government to sell and distribute electricity to the public.
E-Aley said it is looking to collaborate with the Lebanese government to develop and implement real solutions to cost effectively solve Lebanon’s power needs – an essential ingredient to attract further foreign investment, tourism and enhance general quality of life in the country.
Lebanon power generation needs are estimated at 2,300 MW: only 1,600 MW of which is currently produced by state monopoly Electricite du Liban, from which E-Aley and other companies contracted to distribute power receive their supply.
A total of 38 percent of current demand for electricity is generated by noisy private generators that pollute cities and villages. No tax is levied on these operators and they also cost subscribers more in additional payments for basic power supply.
“We are more than confident that a partnership between professional and long-established private sector companies will create adequate power supply nationwide,” said Khoury.
“No one should be afraid of any of our proposals, especially Electricite du Liban, because all the Lebanese people shall benefit. EDL shouldn’t consider private sector producers like E-Aley an enemy,” he added.
“We proposed the [wind] generation four years ago, but no one took this proposal into consideration. The only thing we need from the government is to act [on] our proposal [so] we can kick off our project according to law.
“Instead of taking our proposal into consideration, where people could have their [basic right to] 24-hour electricity, politicians are busy with their problems,” said Khoury.
“We don’t need the government’s money; what we need is its approval,” he added.
“People should know that we have the solution, but unfortunately the government isn’t taking these solutions into consideration,” Khoury said.
“Electricity isn’t the problem, taking the decision is our major problem.”
© Copyright The Daily Star 2009.
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