APRIL 11, 2021 Current Barriers and Future Outlooks for Renewable Energy in Lebanon An Exploratory Analysis in Environmental Governance Camille Haddad Master of Resource and Environmental Management (MREM), Candidate 2022 Dalhousie University, School for Resource & Environmental Studies 0 | P a g e Table of Contents Abstract ........................................................................................................................................................ 3 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................................. 4 2. Lebanon’s Energy Profile - Overview ................................................................................................... 5 2.1 Current Grid Capacity ......................................................................................................................... 5 2.2 Financial Implications: A Brief Overview .......................................................................................... 6 3. Hydropower ............................................................................................................................................. 7 3.1. Current Capacity ................................................................................................................................ 7 3.2. Lebanon’s Hydrological Makeup: Hydropower’s Potential .............................................................. 8 3.3. Environmental Stressors and Trade-Offs ........................................................................................... 8 3.3.1 Agricultural Impacts .................................................................................................................... 9 3.3.2. Domestic Water-Use Impacts ................................................................................................... 10 4. Solar Power............................................................................................................................................ 10 4.1. Large-Scale Solar Photovoltaic Capacity Potential ......................................................................... 11 4.2. Small-Scale Thermal Energy: Solar Water Heaters ......................................................................... 12 4.3. A Case in Decentralization: Zahle, Lebanon ................................................................................... 13 4.4. Implementation Barriers and Transition Potential ........................................................................... 14 5. Wind Energy.......................................................................................................................................... 15 5.1. Capacity Potential ............................................................................................................................ 15 5.2. The Akkar Wind Farm: A Model for Success? ................................................................................ 16 6. Societal Barriers and Governance-Based Solutions........................................................................... 17 6.1. Environmental Governance Defined ................................................................................................ 17 6.2. Understanding the Stakeholder ........................................................................................................ 18 6.3. Public Awareness and Policy Implementation ................................................................................. 19 6.3.2 Societal Challenges .................................................................................................................... 19 6.3.3 Implementation Challenges and Outlooks ................................................................................. 20 6.4. Prolonged Sustainability and Systems-Based Approaches .............................................................. 21 6.4.2 Post-Conflict Sustainability: A Path Forward ............................................................................ 22 6.4.3 Energy Justice in the Context of Renewable Energy ................................................................. 24 6.4.4 Strategic Niche Management: Putting Frameworks into Practice ............................................. 25 7. Policy Frameworks: Legal Barriers and Remedies ........................................................................... 26 7.1. Lebanon’s Environmental Assessment System ............................................................................... 27 7.2. Executive Actions on Lebanon’s Electricity Sector......................................................................... 27 7.2.2 The Evolution of Law 462/2002 ................................................................................................ 27 1 | P a g e 7.3. Project Implementation Barriers ...................................................................................................... 28 8. Concluding Remarks ............................................................................................................................ 29 9. References .............................................................................................................................................. 30 10. Appendices ........................................................................................................................................... 35 APPENDIX A ......................................................................................................................................... 35 APPENDIX B ......................................................................................................................................... 38 APPENDIX C ......................................................................................................................................... 39 APPENDIX D ......................................................................................................................................... 40 APPENDIX E ......................................................................................................................................... 42 11. Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................................. 43 2 | P a g e Abstract Lebanon has been subject to frequent power outages for decades primarily due to government inaction and systemic corruption. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA, 2020), the country sees 96% of its energy supply from fossil fuels, almost half of which is used for electricity production. The key producer of electricity for the country is Électricité de Liban (EDL) which is state-run and has been a vehicle of government corruption for decades (Ibrahim et al., 2013). As a result, peak demand has seldom been met in Lebanon forcing residents to utilize private diesel generators, which are unregulated and produce high carbon emissions. Energy security has therefore been a key talking point in bringing about systemic reform at a regional scale. Lebanon has the potential to become a regional leader through an economic transformation and in the fight against climate change. As the country moves towards a post-conflict state, energy justice can be pursued through multifaceted models that seek to decentralize Lebanon’s electrical grid. Three renewable energy technologies have been identified as focal points for an energy transition. Hydropower, wind and solar all have a natural capacity and logistical potential to be implemented to varying degrees within the country. These technologies all present costs and benefits; however, introduce an overarching objective of decarbonization and development of sustainable communities. Examining Lebanon’s capacity potential of renewable energy transitions and governance frameworks that can enable substantial change is of key focus. Bridging the gaps between stakeholder interests and policy actions can present unique solutions. Legal mechanisms that address environmental protection and energy regulation are already in place within Lebanon. Legislative action like Law 444/2002, a statute for environmental protection and Law 462/2002 which sought to regulate the energy sector have had implementation issues and have yet to been put into full practice. Some localized successes have been documented through small-scale dissemination of renewable energy undertakings which seek to promote sustainable development. Solutions are examined through external and internal actors and drivers that contribute to the energy security issues in Lebanon. Through analysis of Lebanon’s energy systems through its electricity sector, constructive dialogue can be pursued that realizes the future outlooks for socio-economic and institutional change. 3 | P a g e “The existence of a strong and influential Lebanese Diaspora means that there is significant actual and potential power for the Diaspora to play the role of a ‘third level actor.’” – Tabar et al., 2012 1. Introduction Lebanon is currently highly reliant on fossil-fuel-based energy sources like heavy fuel oil and diesel; however, has vast potential to make use of renewable energy resources. Lebanon has committed to 30% of the country’s electricity mix being sourced from renewables by 2030 and has signed on to the Paris Climate Accord (IRENA, 2020). Despite this, energy security has long been a symptom of structural