Lebanon's power failure: Diesel generators, $300-a-month bills - and a corrupt system milking the profits

Lebanon now relies on diesel-powered generators for about half of its electricity supply, leaving the financially strained country exposed to risks. The crisis in Lebanon's electricity sector, which has been largely unregulated, has allowed officials and generator owners to profit from the mess. Private generators now account for 50% of the country's electricity supply, while the state utility, Electricite du Liban (EDL), provides only 31%.

Due to soaring global oil prices, the country's dependence on expensive diesel imports has pushed energy bills to skyrocket, often exceeding $300 per month. This heavy reliance on generators is a result of decades of neglect from the government, who have failed to implement necessary reforms. The corruption within the sector has been deeply entrenched, with money flowing from consumers' pockets into the hands of private generator owners and those connected in political circles.

In order to address the issue, energy experts argue that state institutions must take action and provide electricity to the people, rather than allowing the dysfunctional system to continue profiting from its failures.