In a pivotal moment for Lebanon’s beleaguered power sector, the new Minister of Energy and Water in the newly formed reformist government expedited the appointment of the long-delayed Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA). The minster also simplified the approval procedures for solar energy systems under 1.5 megawatts—no longer requiring ministerial authorization.

The move paves the way for electricity market liberalisation, as championed by our Greengrid Leb initiative. The ERA serves as a cornerstone for fostering competition among electricity providers, promising improved services, fewer outages, and lower energy costs. For LIMS, the stakes transcend policy mechanics; they touch on the fundamental rights and dignity of citizens. It is about restoring dignity to families denied reliable power, to hospitals whose care is compromised, and to businesses forced into silence by blackouts.

In parallel, LIMS has called for empowering entrepreneurs to produce and sell renewable electricity on the local level through existing microgrids. Municipalities and unions of municipalities should be allowed to accept declarations of compliance for energy generation and distribution within their jurisdictions. Such decentralisation builds on the legal authority municipalities already hold to implement public service projects, including lighting and infrastructure. Expanding this mandate could unlock immediate relief in areas that have long suffered neglect.

The broader vision is one of inclusive recovery: from lighting classrooms and powering clinics to ensuring household stability and supporting economic recovery. In a country where millions have endured prolonged energy insecurity, energy reform is no longer a matter of convenience—it is a moral imperative. Two decades of delay have cost Lebanon dearly. But the appointment of the ERA and the liberalisation of the power sector now stand as a pivot in the course of rebuilding essential services, restoring public trust, and laying the groundwork for a more resilient and dignified future.

• Activating The Electricity Regulatory Authority: Is It A Solution To The Ongoing Energy Crisis?         March 8, 2025: Limslb, Video AR
• Ministry Of Energy: A Choked Artery, March 10, 2025: General Security, Article AR
• Economic Recovery Is Threatened: Three Obstacles, One Of Which Is Israel, March 22, 2025: Al Modon, Article AR
• “Local” Solutions For 24/7 Electricity: Let The Municipality Handle It, March 26, 2025: Limslb, Video AR