Qatar announces 'massive' solar plant plan to ease Lebanon's energy crisis

Qatar's prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, announced plans on Friday to build what he described as a "massive" solar power plant in Lebanon, during a visit to Beirut aimed at easing the country's energy crisis.

Speaking after talks with his Lebanese counterpart, Nawaf Salam, Sheikh Mohammed said the two sides had agreed to establish a "comprehensive framework for cooperation in the energy sector" and to present viable solutions.

Under the plan, QatarEnergy has reached an agreement with French company TotalEnergies to jointly develop a solar power plant in Lebanon as an initial project. The Qatari premier said the aim was a major investment that would benefit the Lebanese economy as well as the Qatari companies and entities taking part.

Salam said he would put the plans for Lebanon's electricity sector to the Lebanese Cabinet soon. He said the Qatari side would fund, implement and activate the project without any cost to the Lebanese state — a point he described as important given the country's financial crisis.

A sector deep in crisis

Lebanon's state electricity company is one of the country's biggest sources of debt, losing about $40bn over past decades with a bloated workforce and outdated infrastructure, according to Al Jazeera. The company provides only a few hours of electricity a day, and until a year ago the state took advances from the Central Bank when diesel fuel ran out.

Sheikh Mohammed said Doha stands in "solidarity with the Lebanese people" and the wider region "in this dire hour". Lebanon has struggled with multiple energy crises in recent years, compounded by its financial collapse and Israel's ongoing military campaign.

Talks on southern Lebanon

Earlier on Friday, the Qatari prime minister also met Lebanon's president and parliament speaker. He said "Israeli violations within the Lebanese territories" were a large part of his talks, adding that Israel should withdraw from Lebanon and cease its attacks. Qatar, he said, is working in coordination with the United States to help lay the groundwork for future reconstruction in southern Lebanon so that displaced people can return home.

Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon have continued despite a ceasefire agreed in June. Under the US-brokered agreement, the Lebanese government is to disarm Iran-backed Hezbollah, while Israeli forces gradually withdraw from southern areas they occupy. Hezbollah is not part of the agreement and has refused to disarm until Israel withdraws from the country.

Lebanese authorities say Israeli attacks have killed more than 4,300 people in the country since March. About 1.2 million people were displaced at the height of the war, and more than 300,000 remain displaced, according to the International Organization for Migration. Salam thanked Qatar for its "continuous" support during some of Lebanon's "darkest hours".

Source: Al Jazeera.