A private generator in Lebanon. (Credit: M.A.)
BEIRUT — Economy Minister Amin Salam on Monday toured Beirut areas to inspect the installation of energy-consumption meters on private generators. The minister had in October given a one-month deadline for the installation of such meters.
Here's what we know:
• Salam said that the inspection tour was being performed to ensure that generator owners are installing energy-consumption meters, the state-run National News Agency reported. Last month, Salam set Nov. 11 as the deadline for installing the meters.
• In October, Salam issued a circular stating that private generator owners must install energy meters at their own expense to measure the customers’ energy consumption, with the objective of ensuring that generator subscribers are paying an amount proportional to their consumption.
• According to the NNA, during his tour, Salam said that although he is not the minister in charge of fixing the electricity issue, he is trying to lessen the issue of subscribers paying more than they should for generators.
• Salam reportedly encountered many angry generator owners during his tour, who told the minister they could not afford the cost of installing energy meters.
• With the state power provider offering little more than a handful of hours of electricity per day, residents and businesses across the country have for months now been reliant on subscriptions to private generator services to meet their electricity needs.