Project Overview

This project aims to improve Lebanon’s energy security by providing sustainable solar and hydro energy solutions to the public sector. By bridging the energy gap left by the national utility, the initiative ensures the continued delivery of essential services, particularly healthcare and education, while reducing the financial burden on the national budget. The project is strategically aligned with Lebanon’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement, contributing to the national commitment of achieving 18% renewable energy by 2030.

Project Objective

• Provide solar energy solutions to public sector entities to ensure business continuity during energy shortages.
• Execute rehabilitation works for existing hydropower plants, specifically targeting the El Bared 1 and El Bared 2 facilities.
• Lower electricity costs for the central government and public sectors, allowing resources to be redirected to other essential services.
• Support the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 20% by 2030 through scaled-up renewable energy adoption.
• Improve national capacities and legislation to push the sustainable energy sector forward based on field-level lessons.
   

Achievements & Key Figures

• The project targets 30 public hospitals and the Lebanese University’s major campuses (Hadath, Tripoli, Fanar) with renewable energy and energy efficiency solutions to improve the reliability of essential health and education services.
• Comprehensive assessments — including energy audits, structural assessments, and solar‑PV designs — are guiding the installation of safe, high‑quality renewable‑energy systems tailored to each facility.
• The project is rehabilitating the Nahr El Bared 1 and 2 hydropower plants (13.5 MW and 3.7 MW), adding up to 6,149 MWh of additional clean electricity annually to Lebanon’s grid—equivalent to powering around 27,000 people—and strengthen national energy security using existing public‑utility assets.
• Updated solar PV standards, inspection procedures, and certification mechanisms are being established to enhance the quality, safety, and long term reliability of Lebanon’s renewable energy market.
• National institutions are being strengthened to deliver structured solar PV training, curricula development, and certification programmes, supporting the creation of a qualified renewable energy workforce.
• The project supports the development of Lebanon’s enabling environment through legal reviews, hydropower strategy, and technical policy support, improving national frameworks for renewable‑energy deployment.
• Thousands of direct and indirect beneficiaries — including public‑sector staff, patients, students, technicians, and surrounding communities — will benefit from improved energy access, safer infrastructure, and stronger essential services.
   

GESI Component (Gender Equality and Social Inclusion)

The project mainstreams gender equality and social inclusion across its design and implementation. It promotes women’s participation in solar-energy training programmes and actively encourages women engineers, technicians, and installers to take part in the renewable-energy sector, while also integrating gender considerations into innovation activities to support young women entrepreneurs in sustainable-energy and climate start-ups. Data collection will include gender markers wherever possible, and the project will engage policymakers to advocate for gender-inclusive energy policies and frameworks. By focusing on the public sector and essential services, the project also ensures that energy security benefits reach all people, particularly women, girls, and other vulnerable groups who rely most on public health and education services. The project design includes demanding labour and working-condition safeguards, in line with international standards, to prevent adverse impacts on all workers regardless of gender.