Up for grabs:
Permits for 12 solar farms

Tens of investors are interested

The Lebanese Center for Energy Conservation (LCEC), part of the Ministry of Energy and Water (MoEW), has invited companies to submit proposals to develop solar farms, operate them, and sell power to Electricité du Liban .

At least 120 megawatts (MW) of solar farms are sought in Mount Lebanon, the North, the South, and Bekaa.

Each area is required to host between 30 and 45 MW of photovoltaic (PV) farms. The power capacity for each one will be 10-15 MW. This will lead to the establishment of at least 12 solar farms across the country.

Pierre Khoury, Director of the LCEC, said: “These plans have been approved by the Ministry.”

The LCEC is working on draft power purchase agreements to allow for the sale of power to EDL upon the completion of the solar farm.

The power purchase agreement with EDL will be for 20 years, based on yearly payments.

“There is no obstacle to allow smaller PV farms in any region, with a capacity of five megawatts or less, in the case of land issues or national sites,” he said. Land issues can arise in cases of legal or inheritance conflicts. “Public sites such as the Rachid Karame International Fair are an ideal place for solar farms,” he said.

Khoury said: “Investments are part of the model for the investors who will fund the construction of the farms.”

Successful proposals will obtain permits to be approved by the Council of Ministers.

Applicants are accepted from companies or joint ventures. It is up to investors to secure the land to develop the solar farms.

A high number of proposals is expected. Khoury said: “Tens of investors are interested in developing these solar farms.”