Energy Minister Nada al-Bustani launched a campaign on Saturday to remove infringements on the crumbling electricity grid as part of fixing the electricity sector that has cost state coffers about $2 billion annually.

“Removing electricity violations will allow a reduction in wasted energy and provide a better distribution,” said Bustani as she accompanied the campaign launched in the area of Bourj Hammoud.

The Minister wished “citizens’ participation in this campaign,” and urged Electricite du Liban “to keep pace with the process.”

Recently, the parliament passed amendments necessary to implement an ambitious plan to restructure the country’s crumbling electricity sector.

Restructuring the power sector, dysfunctional since Lebanon’s 1975-90 civil war, has been among key demands for reforms by the World Bank and international donors.

The electricity plan was approved by a large majority in parliament on April 17, days after it was agreed on by the government. It aims to eventually bring electricity to the Lebanese 24 hours a day, securing an additional 1,450 megawatts of temporary power by next year so that total output will reach 3,500 megawatts — enough to provide power around the clock.

In the longer term, the plan calls for power production to be increased by more than 3,000 megawatts over the next six years by building new plants and relying more on renewable energy.

Part of EDL’s deficit is due to illegal connections to the grid, theft and manipulating the meters.

Lebanese officials hope that plans to fix the electricity sector that has cost state coffers about $2 billion annually would lead to the release of $11 billion in loans and grants made by international donors at the CEDRE conference in Paris last year.

http://www.naharnet.com/stories/en/259516-bustani-says-ending-power-tapping-allows-better-distribution