Lebanon has many plans for electricity, but no sustainable energy strategy yet. This approach will first define clean natural data, i.e., what Lebanese nature can provide in terms of clean and renewable energy versus imports or extraction of fossil energy, and there should be preferences, priorities and principles based on which technologies and options are employed. examined. The most important of these principles, at its head is the principle of environmental sustainability. This means not only finding sustainable energy, but also being green, which means that resources are not depleted like fossil fuels and they are clean and safe. These specifications refer only to the renewable energy sources available in Lebanon, which should be given priority in the investment, regulation, legislation and localization of its technologies. Moreover, the development of policies and laws that encourage the production of national technologies, rather than relying on imports, is neither detailed nor impossible. This issue is also related to the annual international climate change negotiations in which Lebanon participates (through the Ministry of Environment and its climate change projects), where its positions should be in line with this strategy. . In other words, he urges countries like him, classified as “developing”, to need the free transfer of technology from industrialized countries in the field of “green” technology to developing countries as compensation for emissions that caused by their policies and industrial revolution that changed the global climate ..
Why has the Department of Energy historically gone the other direction, relying entirely on fossil energy, either in terms of building thermal power plants, or in terms of hydrocarbon imports, leasing from abroad, or oil and gas exploration? Why are contingency plans still ahead of this approach, such as the use of ships !? Why did we postpone until yesterday (the last meeting of the Council of Ministers) the adoption of laws regarding the production of renewable energy, the conservation and rationalization of consumption, despite studies proving that the potential of renewable energy in all its forms (water, sun and air) is available in Lebanon and could represent a safe and economical alternative to all contingency plans !? Despite the assurances that by following conservation policies and energy efficiency projects in all sectors, setting up a CHP plant will save! If there had been a strong call almost a quarter of a century ago to develop a sustainable energy strategy within the framework of a sustainable development strategy and various energy policies, we would not have encountered this. severe energy crisis in which we live today, knowing that the draft law on energy conservation, approved at the last meeting of the cabinet His project ended in 2011! Hence the importance of the dialogue and partnership taking place today between the ministries of energy and the environment to demonstrate the sustainability of plans and options, especially as the issue of climate change has become a decisive element in determining trends in energy around the world. Lebanon also had to consider its economic and social position to determine its energy strategy, in addition to the nature of the governance system, the level of corruption, the status and weakness of the state as a whole versus strength. of companies investing in the sector, then the global political struggle for access or transfer of traditional energy and related global technological developments and global trends New developments and wars… in addition to the fate of international climate change negotiations, which sooner or later will determine the quality of future energy policy, as the latter is the main culprit of the largest global catastrophe known to mankind today.
The most important thing that renewable energy and policies to encourage production, conservation, conservation and efficiency on offer at the political level is that it helps to provide a large dose of political freedom and reduce monopolies, economic and political exploitation… It is associated with the decentralized nature of renewable energy, which frees the country from the power of large companies and their large central projects, such as the creation of large thermal power plants or import and storage. Perhaps this is the main and primary reason that this trend has been delayed for almost a quarter of a century, due to the control of traditional and centralized energy brokers and the tendency to create thermal power plants or import fossils. fuel and ship at the decision of the Ministry. of Energy. .
In light of all this, it is expected that the principles of this strategy should be defined, with sustainability at the forefront, on the basis of which it balances energy security requirements, its cost, the level of environmental sustainability. for each option. .. In addition to the main focus of this approach encouraging demand control, rationalization of consumption and adherence to conservation and economic principles. Any “energy mix” mindset that does not take into account all of the above beyond controlling use and reducing risk is not feasible in the long run.
And since the Lebanese Energy Conservation Center study showed that the largest energy consumption sector is the construction sector of all kinds, it is therefore (strategically) important to amend the building law to be more friendly to environment (in addition to the rehabilitation of old buildings). ), do not use this tax method to collect revenues for the treasury, On the way to the notorious “bitter sex”!
One of the most important recommendations made at the seminar was the need to comply with laws, especially regulatory law No. 462 released since 2002, and the appointment of a regulatory body for this sector (5 members, not 6) and its exemption from sectarian restrictions. In addition to the restoration and development of hydropower and calling on the state to oversee the allocation of land from public use and state property, as well as the Banque du Liban for renewable energy production.
The recently approved draft energy conservation law was finalized in 2011.
The issue of the need to allocate land for renewable energy projects is a central issue, less important than finding the necessary funding, especially the production of solar energy available in Lebanon, as we have already mentioned. Hence the importance of state intervention in finding solutions to its characteristics. There are several studies that speak about the integration of the quarry sector, which should be a state monopoly in its own ownership, and allocating part of these lands for the production of fully renewable energy, and then promote and development of projects for the production of hydroelectric power in all its forms, except dams. Add to this the strict quality control of this new technology, the arrangement of its decentralization, its connection to networks and its proper management after its expiration and its waste, with the desire to apply recovery system here for return. in a productive factory.
The most important thing that can be advanced after the general collapse in Lebanon is the need to break the “promise” of electricity insurance 24 hours a day, 24 hours a day. This promise, like the false promises before the election, is very costly and misleading, unless it comes from an approach that emphasizes the importance of sustainable production and consumption savings. Therefore, it must be included in the policies and priorities that must be adopted after the collapse occurs, and regardless of the election results that have begun, if we are to emerge from our crises at a reasonable pace.
Source: Al Akhbar
