Lebanon cuts electricity to public institutions over unpaid bills

The Lebanese state power provider, Electricite du Liban, has initiated the discontinuation of electricity supply to public institutions that have neglected to settle their bills. The company has been issuing repeated cautions to public sector entities, with some failing to even reach out to EDL to settle their predicaments. Among the institutions possibly impacted are the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, various municipalities, and water companies.

The struggling state electricity provider, headquartered in Beirut, is believed to be owed millions of dollars following the 2020 Beirut port blast. EDL stated that while certain entities have reached out to resolve their issues, others have not. The decision to cut power, defended by the company, is aimed at safeguarding government funds and is not directed against the state or its institutions.

Hospitals, however, are exempt from this measure, though some villages in the Western Bekaa region are affected due to unpaid bills. Local politician Hassan Mourad criticized the move, emphasizing that water is not a luxury. The only international airport in Beirut was on the verge of losing power until reaching an agreement with EDL on a payment plan.

Lebanon's under-invested and neglected state electricity sector can only generate a few hours of power a day, leaving those who can afford it to rely on expensive private generator subscriptions. Given the dire state of Lebanon's economy and public finances, many institutions, including state bodies, struggle to afford costly generators running on diesel.

The import-dependent country is particularly sensitive to inflation and fuel price hikes triggered by the US-Iran war.