Qatar Announces Massive Solar Plant Project in Lebanon
Dubai – Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, the Prime Minister of Qatar, has officially announced plans to establish what he described as a "massive" solar power plant in Lebanon. The announcement was made on Friday during his visit to Beirut, following meetings with his Lebanese counterpart, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam. The project aims to provide viable solutions to Lebanon's severe energy crisis, which has been exacerbated by the country's ongoing financial collapse and regional instability.
During the discussions, Sheikh Mohammed stated that both nations have agreed to establish a comprehensive framework for cooperation within the energy sector. He highlighted that QatarEnergy has already reached an agreement with the French multinational company TotalEnergies to jointly develop this solar power plant. This initiative is positioned as an initial project designed to evolve into a major investment venture. According to the Qatari Prime Minister, the primary objective is to create a development project that benefits the Lebanese economy while also providing opportunities for Qatari companies and entities participating in the endeavor.
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam confirmed that he intends to present these detailed plans for Lebanon’s electricity sector to the Lebanese Cabinet in the near future. He emphasized the financial implications of the deal, noting that the Qatari side will fully fund, implement, and activate the project without imposing any cost on the Lebanese state. Salam described such a move as critical given the current financial crisis facing Lebanon. The state-owned electricity company remains one of the largest sources of national debt, having hemorrhaged approximately $40 billion over past decades due to a bloated workforce and outdated infrastructure. Currently, the company provides only a few hours of electricity per day, and until recently, the state had to take advances from the Central Bank when diesel fuel reserves were exhausted.
In addition to energy cooperation, Sheikh Mohammed discussed Israeli violations in Lebanese territory with Prime Minister Salam. He expressed Doha's solidarity with the Lebanese people and the entire region during what he termed a "dire hour." Lebanon has been struggling with multiple energy crises in recent years, a situation compounded by its financial collapse and Israel's ongoing assault. The proposed solar plant represents a significant step toward stabilizing the nation's power supply through international partnership and direct funding, bypassing the fiscal constraints that have hindered domestic efforts.
This report was produced in the Europe Brief News newsroom.
