Miqati Details his Offer to Build Power Plant Amid Looming Crisis
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Premier Najib Miqati said his suggestion to build a power plant that would generate 500 Megawatts of electricity would cost the treasury less than a proposal made by Energy Minister Jebran Bassil to lease vessels, a move that is likely to lead to a clash between them.
In a six-page report that he proposed to the cabinet for discussion at Baabda Palace on Wednesday, Miqati said the establishment of the power plant takes a year and would cost maximum 480 million dollars for at least a 25-year service.
On the other hand, the Prime Minister stressed that the leasing of the ships won’t provide Lebanon with additional electricity given that they would be an alternative for the existing power plants that would undergo maintenance.
Miqati gave a further description of two companies that won the tenders of the power-generating vessels.
The Turkish KARADENIZ firm would generate 180 Megawatts of electricity costing the treasury in a five-year period 429 million dollars without the expenses of the fuel oil, the report said.
It added that the offer of WALLER MARINE, an American company, lies in providing the same amount of energy at the cost of 427 million dollars for the same period.
Miqati admitted in the report, which is part of the 76-item agenda circulated to cabinet ministers, that a ministerial committee tasked with resolving the issue failed in four consecutive meetings to reach conclusions and common viewpoints.
But he stressed that the government should forgo the tenders for the power-generating vessels and issue a new tender to provide 500 Megawatts of electricity through new plants.
Miqati’s offer is likely to stir a new cabinet crisis over the rejection of both Bassil and other ministers loyal to Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun, and Finance Minister Mohammed al-Safadi of his proposal.
Bassil and al-Safadi also allege that the Prime Minister reduced the role of the ministerial committee that according to them could have reached a decision to resolve the issue.
25 March 2012, 08:19
10
Its very simple. Billionaire Mikati is doing what is best for Lebanon because he doesnt need to steal. JebrANBESSIL and CLAOUN are beggars and salivating to line their pockets with money. Case closed...
25 March 2012, 08:42
12
Both plans will never pass because they are backed a political party. A Modern revolution is needed. check out Light Lebanon Blog for further explanation lightlebanon.blogspot.com
Aside from that, I really do not trust a the Lebanese government to build a power station in a year yet alone not go over budget which are know to happen in any country.
25 March 2012, 10:14
11
They would be executed in the USA? Why? They are the biggest thieves in the USA.
25 March 2012, 10:20
01
lightleb is correct unfortunately: all concerned have only one thing on their mind: steal more money.
25 March 2012, 13:46
11
of course he meant m8 politicians only.
and also, it's nice to see how some "lebanese" appreciate domestic courts.
25 March 2012, 18:18
00
please enlighten us , what domestic courts ? it all depends on how much money you have and who is behind you . courts and democracy in Lebanon with this government ? sure . they are all thieves
25 March 2012, 15:48
01
Wow! Now Mr. Billionaire Miqati is concious to save money...or rather to earn more money through passing HIS plan???
25 March 2012, 17:19
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I think it's great. A little competition never hurt. If he is serious about this, good for him. In 2012 we are still talking about power plants when the entire world has moved on. Miqati you will win over many Lebanese if you start to rebuild the infrastructure.
25 March 2012, 18:27
01
will it only take a year to build a 3rd power plant? if so go for it we can live another bad ON year
25 March 2012, 19:12
01
i have a better idea, If you dont want to build hydro electric and solar plants, then why not get this american company to build 2 power plants that will make a total of 1000 Megawats and fix the lebanese power crisis permanently.
25 March 2012, 19:41
11
Has anyone t6hought about privatizing EDL? Why do you think so many in previous and governments reject the idea? So they can keep lining their pockets. You know the game people. This is Lebanon we're talking about. Same goes with the Mobile Networks. I can think of at least 3 Ministries that can be shut down and save the Lebanese wasteful money. # 1 Ministry of Information. (Only dictatorships and Tyrannical regimes have those). # 2 Ministry of Telecommunications. What do they do exactly? Let private companies handle this. # 3 Ministry of Electricity. Enough said.
25 March 2012, 19:50
12
Take politics out of it and privatize it--none of the parties want to agree on the best thing for the country, but rather what's best for them, their buddies, and their constituents.
Privatize it and let the private sector take control of providing electricity to the country. Politicians are idiots--talk, talk, talk, and nothing gets done. Let the decision to cut people off who steal electricity come from someone who is worried about profits instead of the political party. Private "istirack" guys don't let people take from them--government, on the other hand, is treated as a free for all by everyone.
25 March 2012, 19:58
01
What do you mean when you say "privatize". Do you mean let a foreign country sponsor a Lebanese company to provide an electricity? If so, it will never work because the government would not allow it because they political parties will label it as foreigner trying to buy Lebanon's sovereignty. And trust me when i say this, people really tried to do this :(
25 March 2012, 22:38
11
Privatization entails the government selling its stake in EDL (the whole thing basically) to the highest bidder. In almost all cases, it would not be a foreign government, but rather a large multinational corporation based in a host of companies. Let the government make some rules which make it a little more friendly for access to meters, etc and put up a list of guidelines that must be met (country must have xx% of electricity by a certain date, etc) and move on.
All the government has to do is to sit back and collect the TVA--it's a lot cheaper for everyone in the long run and better for the country.
25 March 2012, 22:42
21
I want to add, that if a foreign government is going to take over, it should be seen as someone neutral, maybe a country like China or India where religious affiliation will play no part.
25 March 2012, 19:52
02
Do the math you people. Listen to someone who build an international successful business.
What did jib ran do beside marrying well.
25 March 2012, 20:06
01
I am pessimistic when the government as whole is trying to manage a construction of power plant where we have buildings collapsing and already poorly manage infrastructure.
I am optimistic however about Light Lebanon Project, which is a project made by Lebanese not a political party, will focus more on renewable energy such as Hydro-electrical plants without using dams, offshore wind farms, and solar panels. All in the same cost of 480 millions of dollars including the improvement of the grid system which is notoriously inefficient.
