Lebanese Minister of Energy Walid Fayyad announced on Wednesday that Lebanon and Jordan signed the agreement to transfer electricity through Syria to lessen the power shortage that is affecting the country.
The agreement was signed during a ceremony in Beirut attended by the Jordanian and Syrian electricity ministers.
This will help Lebanon to be provided with about 150 megawatts from midnight until 6 in the morning and 250 megawatts throughout the day, equivalent to about 2 full hours of electricity consumption.
“The Lebanese people need every hour of electricity and we will provide about 250 megawatts of electricity in cooperation with Jordan and with the participation and support of Syria, which is what enshrines joint Arab actions,” energy minister Walid Fayyad said.
He added that the deal will not enter into effect instantly because Lebanon is still in need of financial arrangements, which are under work with the World Bank for financing.
The agreement with Jordan for electricity supply is expected “to come into force in two months,” he said.
Jordanian Energy Minister Saleh Al-Kharabsheh expressed his hope “that the level of service in the Lebanese electricity sector will improve, and opens the way for cooperation in other sectors.”
He assured that his country will ensure that this cooperation “is carried out to the fullest.”
As for the price of electricity, which is a concern for the Lebanese, he shared that it will be related to the price of Brent Crude Oil.
Syrian Energy Minister Ghassan Al-Zamel commented during the ceremony: “We insist that this deal be completed as soon as possible and we are currently ready to connect electricity.”
