Bassil Pessimistic on Electricity during Summer Season

Energy Minister Jebran Bassil, who attended a ministerial committee meeting headed by PM Najib Miqati on the electricity crisis on Monday, expressed pessimism, saying the leasing of power-generating vessels does not mean that Lebanon will not suffer from power cuts in the summer.

“If we bring in the vessels, this doesn’t necessarily mean that summer will be lighted,” al-Liwaa daily quoted Bassil as saying after attending the second meeting of the committee since the cabinet approved to lease the ships last week.

“The leasing of the ships is a partial and phased option that helps the rehabilitation of (power) stations,” he reportedly said.

During the four-hour meeting, the ministers discussed offers made by American and Turkish companies.

They decided to give the firms until Friday to make better offers and respond to the clarifications that the committee had asked for about prices, deadlines and the execution plan.

The committee is scheduled to hold a third meeting next Tuesday to choose the best company, said Bassil, who also expected electricity production by the vessels to be made within 4 to 6 months.

Lebanon has been suffering from severe power rationing which has caused protests across the country.

Monday’s meeting was also the second since Premier Najib Miqati suspended cabinet sessions over his frustration at alleged attempts by Bassil and other ministers loyal to Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun to obstruct the government’s work.