Nahhas: Funding of the energy bill still unresolved

Lebanon’s Economy Minister Nicolas Nahhas said on Wednesday that “the funding” of the Change and Reform bloc’s electricity draft bill is the only matter which has not yet been resolved in the cabinet. (more…)

Iran removes fuel from Bushehr atomic plant, increases uranium stockpile

Iran increased its stockpile of low-enriched uranium in recent months despite intense international pressure and claims that a computer virus had slowed its program, a report Friday by the U.N.’s nuclear watchdog agency indicates.

Iran will remove the fuel from the reactor of a Russian-built nuclear power plant in the southern city of Bushehr, a top official said on Saturday, citing technical advice from Moscow. (more…)

Jordan suspends electricity supply to Lebanon

Jordanian authorities have suspended power supply to Lebanon due to the disruption of regional gas pipelines, according to a statement issued Tuesday by Lebanon’s state-run power company, Electricity du Liban.

The shutdown, which is likely to worsen existing power shortages in Lebanon, comes as a result of the destruction of natural gas lines from Egypt which had helped fuel Jordan’s electricity production. (more…)

Lebanon Energy Ministry’s budget approved

The Parliamentary Finance and Budget Commission approved on Monday the Energy Ministry’s budget in the presence of Energy Minister Gebran Bassil and Finance Minister Rayya al-Hassan, according to local reports. (more…)

Aridi calls protests over power cuts ‘uncivilized’

Transport Minister Ghazi Aridi said in Bint Jbeil that civilized public expression is good, but “we all lose” when people block roads and attack public utilities to protest power cuts, the National News Agency (NNA) reported.

Aridi acknowledged the “old deprivation in historically oppressed regions,” but said that the government has produced a plan to solve Lebanon’s electricity woes. (more…)

Bassil: water problem is much greater than the electric

Protests against the power blackouts continued over the weekend … Yesterday Hezbollah and Amal closed the Airport road with burning tires and today they blocked the road that links al-Nabatieh al-Fawqa with the city of Nabatieh with burning tires.

The Beqaa region also witnessed protests at the Masnaa road but security forces soon intervened and reopened all the roads. (more…)

Lebanon rolls out $5 billion energy plan

A proposed energy measure could eliminate electricity rationing in Lebanon in the next four years, the Lebanese energy minister said.

Lebanese Energy Minister Gebran Bassil unveiled a $5 billion plan to revamp the Lebanese electricity sector, according to local media reports. (more…)

Electricity cuts for Lebanese who don’t pay bills

Energy Minister Gebran Bassil’s press office announced Wednesday that Electricite du Liban has started on Tuesday cutting the power supply to citizens, including politicians, whose dues have exceeded five million Lebanese pounds. The aim is to treat all Lebanese equally, and help Lebanon recover its debt. (more…)

Bassil: Electricity Problem Needs Bold Decision by Government

Lebanon’s Energy and Water Minister Gebran Bassil said Saturday that “solving the electricity problem needs a bold, strategic and clear decision by the government in order to face the ongoing major deficiency.”

He revealed that he prepared a plan of ” ten points, among them three related to renewable energy, in addition to the proper management of (power) demand and effective energy.” (more…)