Experts weigh in: Why is Lebanon''s solar ''boom''
Largely from rooftop solar systems on private homes and businesses, the installed capacity of solar energy in Lebanon increased
Myriam Boulos—Magnum Photos for TIME Lebanon went from generating zero solar power in 2010 to having 90 megawatts of solar capacity in 2020. But the major surge happened when a further 100 megawatts were added in 2021 and 500 megawatts in 2022, according to the LCEC's Khoury.
Over 650 megawatts (MW) were installed in 2022 alone, says El-Khoury, bringing Lebanon's total solar capacity to 870MW, according to his figures. "Installed capacity should reach 1,000MW in June," he says. He estimates that the installed capacity of diesel generators, meanwhile, likely amounts to 1,000-1,500MW.
The primary energy use in 2009 in Lebanon was 77 TWh, 18 MWh per capita. In 2019, the total solar PV capacity was 78 MW, and it reached 1300 MW at the end of 2023. Mtoe = 11.63 TWh, Prim. energy includes energy losses. Fossil fuels, primarily petroleum, provide the overwhelming majority of Lebanon's energy supply.
In particular, almost all energy in Lebanon comes from imported petroleum. In 2023 Lebanon produced and consumed energy as follows (in units of quadrillion BTU): Electricity was first introduced in Lebanon in the early 20th century, primarily to power the capital's tramways.
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