Safadi Opposes Miqati, Supports Bassil’s Power-Vessels Project
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Prime Minister Najib Miqati’s opposition to the leasing of power-generating vessels was a point of contention during Wednesday’s cabinet session as Finance Minister Mohammed al-Safadi expressed disapproval of his decision to halt the project, local newspapers reported.
According to An Nahar newspaper published on Thursday, Safadi, who is loyal to Miqati, voiced support to Energy Minister Jebran Bassil’s project expressing a point of view contradicting with that of the premier.
“I am not convinced with PM Najib Miqati’s opinion. I support Bassil’s project,” Safadi said during the session held at the Grand Serail.
He stressed that “no one can take the decision solely when it comes to this matter.”
Safadi noted that any decision should be taken by the committee tasked with finding a solution to the prolonged electricity crisis.
“Or else we should terminate the work of this committee,” he said.
The committee was scheduled to meet on Thursday. However, its members might not convene due to the sharp differences between Miqati on one side and Bassil and Safadi on the other.
Two companies, Turkish and American, had won the tenders and are expected to cost the treasury over $1 billion, around $400 million for the rent and $500 million for fuel prices.
The premier openly opposed the project, saying that he had a third offer from another company that could cost less.
According to Bassil, this summer would be harsh on citizens if the project was blocked for the power outages are expected to increase as Zouk and al-Zahrani power plants need serious rehabilitation. But the premier considers that those vessels will not produce more electricity as they will be a partial option.
Lebanon has long suffered from electricity outages because of shortages at its power plants whose maximum capacity is less than 1,500 megawatts but the country’s actual need exceeds 2,300 megawatts.
22 March 2012, 09:35
13
Thank you Mr.Safadi for being the voice of truth, we know how hard it is to vote against your primary ally and for that you deserve our utmost respect, after correcting what the Harriri family did to this sector is the new government duty and the peoples right
22 March 2012, 12:06
10
There are better ways... Bassil's plan will make us dependent on foreign country for energy. the best way to become dependent from the private companies in Lebanon (private generators), dependent from government own companies, and foreign companies (generators from the vessels) is to encourage individual solar panels construction.
Since 85% of Lebanese live in apartment like building; purchasing of solar panned could be divided by among the residents. Thus decreasing the burden of cost for each resident.
22 March 2012, 15:58
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I know Lebanon is dependent on several things but why keep up the bad habit?
all I am saying is, would it be nice for you to produce your own electricity and not be dependent on the Lebanese government or any government?
and to your example about apples, man you are right and that is a whole other issue my friend.
23 March 2012, 01:02
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a 10 story building with 2 apartments on each floor does not have the space on the roof for enough of the solar panels (along with water tanks) to be effective. There are now also small German designed wind turbines that fit atop of roofs. But these technologies are very expensive and would take a good decade to roll out across Lebanon. We need electricity now for the most cost effective way, which is gas fired plants. Then, as our ever increasing demand for electricity continues, green energy can fill increases not solve huge national shortfalls.
23 March 2012, 03:25
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You would be surprise the advance that are made in 2011.
this is a nice article to read
http://www.solarfeeds.com/the-5-most-significant-solar-panel-technology-advances-of-2011/
In my opinion, if green energy becomes the norm like buying dishwasher machine then that will ease the pressure on the current power plant giving room for renovation and adding more power plants if needed. If we start building gas fired plants now then electrical bill in Lebanon would be just too expensive especially fuel prices on the rise and you would be making Lebanon more dependent on foreign fuel import. Also, I really really do not trust the goverment be able to construct yet alone manage the power plant.
22 March 2012, 12:08
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I am forming a plan with other experts to secure electricity for all of Lebanon. The plan will be called Light Lebanon.
22 March 2012, 14:45
01
SSSHHHHHH!!!!! don't say that out loud ... they will kill you now if they do not get a cut out of it ... wayn 3ayesh ya zalami??? do you think a green solution will be adopted in Lebanon if there is no cut for everyone??? A green / recycling solution to get rid of the garbage and use the biproduct to generate electricity was refused by the governement because the foreign company bringing the technology refused to pay bribes. So all I can tell you is Bravo and Hope you succeed, but I highly doubt it.
22 March 2012, 19:13
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I love Lebanon, specially how the govt does math:
"to cost the treasury over $1 billion, around $400 million for the rent and $500 million for fuel prices."
The cost : 500 + 400 = 900.
but the cost to the treasury more than $1000. Hmmmmm so clearly someone planning to steal $100++ millions.
and we are not talking about commission that will go to their secret account (you know the so called banking secrecy)
22 March 2012, 20:18
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Baladi, I agree with you that Lebanon should try to produce its own electricity but building such infrastructure takes time and money. In the meantime, people are suffering. I think it's a good idea to lease the ships for now while the extra capacity is being built.
As for your idea of solar panels, there is some merit. As things stand, people are already free to put solar panels on their property. People who live in condos are free to share this cost between each other. There a few problems with this however. For one, Beirut is western, so the sun as it rises from the east is impeded by the mountain. the real solar generating potential is in the Bekaa valley where the sun shines brightest and unimpeded. The government could help people pay the installation cost through subsidies for low income households.
