2
Comments
[Thamtic Report September] Vital energy issues and their dependence on internal and external factors |
---|
by Elina Haber | 29-02-2024 22:17
|
Vital energy issues and their dependence on political interests and policy priorities:
For the US Lebanon is a place to contain, counterbalance and push back on Iran, and Hezbollah, with the hope of not allowing them to completely take over the country. Secondly, the strategic location of Lebanon is being close to the Russians and ISIS in Syria. Where it is possible to oversee anti-Russian, anti-terrorism, and other Eastern Mediterranean locations. Given that Lebanon does not ensure its own energy security from locally produced energy which is under exploration, the energy and offshore gas exploration issue has become strategic for both the US and Europe after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. So the US sent their representative Amos Hochstein many times to broker a deal with Israel over the gas fields that lie offshore Israeli-Lebanese maritime borders [as seen in the image]. Note that Israel extracts its energy and send it for production in Egypt but parts of the US strategy is to allow Lebanon to extract its natural resources so that eastern Mediterranean gas can become part of the energy imports of Western Europe. The US had been playing a diplomatic position before, but the final negotiations occurred when the Lebanese economy collapsed and the entire population became impoverished, and Hezbollah and its allies were carrying the blame for the economic collapse. This meant that Hezbollah would be more eager to make a deal that would provide economic promise so that it could gaslight the public into thinking their political party is making a good deal for the Lebanese economy. In general, the Eastern Mediterranean has not yet figured out the most cost-efficient and sustainable way for importing its gas to Western Europe in particular. The internal problems affecting energy security can be understood from the table below: EDL (Electricity of Lebanon Company) [Electricity Supply] being as low as 4-5 hours/day causes the population rely on private energy sources, hence the mismanagement of the governmental company is highly detrimental for the country's overall energy sources. EDL Electricity Coverage differs from districts to others: 3-6 hours on average, up to 14-20 hours in Jezzine district. The Lebanese Pound Depreciation is significant, affecting purchasing power and EDL¡¯s income such as: different exchange rates at different points in time, such as 89,000 LL to $1 throughout most of 2023, and a rate of 43,000 LL to $1 as it stood in December 2022. Monthly Electricity Bills exceeded 1,000,000 LL per the average household (from 50,000 LL to 300,000 LL previously) indicates that the price of unsustainable energy in Lebanon is high compared to the price of solar energy which marked a significant revolution. Renewable Energy Potential increases by 30% of electricity from renewable sources by 2030 (IRENA), Solar Energy Installations: Cumulative capacity of ~870 megawatts, 663 megawatts added in 2022, National Determined Contributions (NDCs) for Lebanon, 30% Renewable Energy share in electricity production by 2030 (scenario depends on many factors). https://www.executive-magazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/oct-nov-2023-SR_ENERGY.pdf
|
![]() ![]() |
|
2 Comments
Hello Elina. Your comprehensive analysis sheds light on vital energy issues, showcasing the intricate intersection of geopolitics and energy security. And your supporting source is wonderful. Keep up the insightful work!
Posted 06-03-2024 04:38
Hello, this is mentor Seeun.
Good job using statistics and images for your report.
Thank you for an informative report!
Posted 01-03-2024 19:26