Industry license linked to energy efficiency

Sabounjian encourages industrialists to switch to renewable energy sources

The Ministry of Industry is drafting a decision in which it will make implementing energy efficiency standards mandatory in factories in order for an operating license to be granted.

According to the Minister of Industry, Vrej Sabounjian, complying with energy efficiency practices is no longer a tough choice, and he cited a number of measures which should encourage industries to adopt sustainable business practices. He said that factories resorting to renewable energy sources, like solar energy systems, can apply for the net metering application. This application, launched last November, allows renewable energy producers to sell the excess power they produce to the EDL, and thus cut their EDL bills. This, he said, will help cut down costs and at the same preserve the environment.

The Ministry of Industry concluded on Thursday (March 8) a two-day seminar on ‘Energy and Industry’. The seminar addressed major environmental concerns, mainly climate change, the status of energy in Lebanon, and alternative renewable energy sources.

The minister said that industries can also benefit from the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NEEAP), which allows them to benefit from long term loans at a subsidized interest rate. The NEEAP, adopted in November 2011, is a national four year strategy to support the financing of energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in collaboration with the Central Bank.

Sabounjian also told industrialists that a temporary solution has been found to further cut power bills for industries spending more than 30 percent of their production costs on energy. He did not, however, declare what the measure was.



by Hanadi Chami