Electricity Logjam Continues as Miqati Calls Safadi, Meets Bassil
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
The standoff over the issue of electricity continued on Monday, despite a meeting between Prime Minister Najib Miqati and Energy and Water Minister Jebran Bassil and phone talks between the premier and Finance Minister Mohammed Safadi.
Bassil said he discussed “several issues with the prime minister,” noting that he did not tackle the issue of electricity with him.
Meanwhile, Al-Manar television the meeting between the two “failed to end the dispute over the issue of electricity” and that the minister was “preparing to respond tomorrow (Tuesday) to the remarks voice by the premier” on Sunday.
The TV network also revealed that Miqati and Safadi had held phone talks recently without managing to break the deadlock.
“I will vote in favor of leasing power-generating vessels. We may have different points of view, but there is no political dispute with Miqati,” Safadi told Al-Manar.
The TV network reported that Miqati and Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun “have been in contact through messages sent by the premier to Rabiyeh,” noting that Miqati intends to “personally contact General Aoun in order to discuss the latest developments.”
For its part, OTV said “the issue of electricity will be put to a vote in cabinet if no agreement is reached,” as LBC television quoted Miqati’s sources as saying that discussions “are not deadlocked.”
“We don't think there will be a vote on Wednesday because all parties want to reach a solution,” Miqati’s sources told LBC.
Bassil had proposed two offers by Turkish and American firms for leasing power-generating vessels to the Lebanese state, but Miqati has voiced reservations following an initial approval.
Miqati has suggested an alternative plan under which a tender would be held with the aim of providing 500 to 1,000 megawatts of electricity through establishing new, advanced power plants.
The premier on Sunday stressed that his alternative plan does not have political motives, noting that the cabinet would have the final say over the issue.
27 March 2012, 00:41
10
Considering the cost figures for leasing power vessels versus building new stations seems to indicate that in the long building new power stations that can serve for 25 years is the better alternative economically. Then there is the immediate need for power with the summer fast approaching. Why not merge the two proposals whereby one vessel is leased and the money for the other vessel used to build a power station?
Is there no politician in Lebanon willing to practice win-win? If so, we are doomed.
27 March 2012, 07:44
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Both plans are doomed to fail and both plans are a loose-loose situation for Lebanese in my opinion.
If you read carefully Mikati says that it will cost the treasury 430 million dollars for 25 years "not including fuel expenses" meaning it might cost an extra of 400 millions or 500 millions just for fuel.
This means if the power plants are built your electrical bill will go up the roof. The same logic can be applied to Bassil's plan.
Even with both plans, you will not get 24/7 electricity but let us presume you do get 24/7 electricity it will be very expensive just like cellphones plans just like gasoline for cars just like....
27 March 2012, 01:41
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Hey.....I know.....maybe the third of the country that doesn't pay could start paying.
I wonder if the gov't has thought of that?
27 March 2012, 04:58
11
Bassil...that ignorant child shouldn't be allowed to do the paperwork of a small toy store, let alone deal with important national issues. Toz 3ala 14 w 8 kil wa7ad y2ool latani!!
27 March 2012, 08:06
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A $450 million provides $4,500 subsidy to 100,000 homes to install photovoltaic panels & insulation on a first-come basis on condition of achieving 80% energy reduction and using PV panels/building skins assembled in Lebanon. This creates jobs and reduce electricity needs by 20%. Lebanon may win a third of funds from international agencies and carbon trading allowing even more subsidies. New subsidies should go to municipalities for wind generation, geothermic or hydraulic plants. Lebanon high mountains are great for PV or mirror thermal plants, being higher than most clouds. Mountains and valleys create microclimates perfect for wind generation. Subsidy also should benefit large scale implementation of renewable energy/conservation and manufacturing/research. This goes a long way in solving Lebanon dependency. Turkey is installing 100 meter diameter wind turbines and UAE building first class research institution in Masdar City while we are robbed by corrupt political mafia!
27 March 2012, 08:59
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Interesting development. Is HizboTerrorist now considering getting rid of Mikati and replacing him by Safadi? Why not, anything is possible in Lebanon.
27 March 2012, 17:09
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All of this is extremely funny, we are fighting about something that is obvious. Whether it is Bassil or Miqati, we lack a lot of information here on the real total cost. Nobody wants to speack as usual, and there is no transparency whatsoever... My advice to the people on this forum or others, stop fighting each other for these people, they are all laughing at us , they fight, kill each others followers, then go laugh at dinners , eat together, smile and get back to business. It is not and never will be about political convictions guys, those politicians have no convictions for the country, their only fighting is for power and money. Miqati mostly for power, and Bassil mostly for money. Like many people who were here before them.
27 March 2012, 17:32
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To LightLeb; I think you are missing the point that extra generation of course will lead to higher bills from the government and lower from the generators for those of us who pay our bills. All power plants require fuel even if its wind or sun. I think everyone knows that any plan that does not include complete monitoring and collection from users will never work.
To: Gebran Sons... you are really on the right track. Cant there be some non-governmental group that can organize this? as we know the government will never think this far ahead.(unless they can figure out how to get their cut)
