Qatar announces ‘massive’ solar plant project in Lebanon

Qatar's Prime Minister has announced plans to establish a "massive" solar power plant in Lebanon to address its energy crisis. During a visit to Beirut, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani met with his Lebanese counterpart, Nawaf Salam, to discuss a comprehensive framework for cooperation in the energy sector. QatarEnergy has agreed to collaborate with French company TotalEnergies to develop the solar power plant as an initial investment project.

The project aims to bring benefits to the Lebanese economy and participating Qatari companies and entities.

Sheikh Mohammed emphasized that the Qatari side will fund, implement, and activate the project without any cost to the Lebanese state, addressing the country's financial crisis. Lebanon's state electricity company has been a major source of debt, losing about $40 billion over decades due to outdated infrastructure and providing only a few hours of electricity daily. The company often took advances from the Central Bank when diesel fuel ran out.

Sheikh Mohammed expressed solidarity with the Lebanese people and the region during this challenging time. Lebanon has been grappling with multiple energy crises in recent years, further exacerbated by the country's financial collapse and Israel's ongoing assault. During his visit, Sheikh Mohammed also met with Lebanon's president and parliament speaker to discuss the situation in southern Lebanon, where Israel continues its assault, capturing numerous towns and villages.

Sheikh Mohammed called for Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon and cessation of attacks, urging Qatar's collaboration with the United States to facilitate future reconstruction in southern Lebanon and allow displaced people to return home. Despite a ceasefire agreed upon in June, Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon persist, with over 4,300 people killed and more than 1.2 million displaced since March, according to Lebanese authorities.