Energy Minister Walid Fayad meets with Majdi Jalal, head of Egyptian company EGAS, in Cairo. (Credit: NNA)
BEIRUT — Energy Minister Walid Fayad in Egypt Wednesday discussed with Majdi Jalal, chairman of the state-owned Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS), speeding up signing a contract with the Egypt’s Technical Company for Gas Pipeline Operation Services so that it can commence repair work on the Syrian-Lebanese gas pipeline by the end of the year, the state-run National News Agency reported.
Here’s what we know:
• Jalal met with Fayad in his capacity as a representative of Egypt’s Energy Minister Tarek el-Molla.
• According to a statement issued by Fayad’s office, the meeting focused on accelerating the repairs required on the Lebanese side of the pipeline so that it will be able to deliver gas before the end of the year. In addition, the issue of Syria’s compensation was discussed. In this context, Fayad asked that the amount of gas to be delivered to Syria in exchange for passage through its territory be added to the quantities agreed upon by the Lebanese and Egyptian sides, so as to operate the Deir Ammar power plant at its maximum capacity.
• More than three weeks ago, Walid Fayad indicated that the quantity involved would be "650 million cubic meters per year," which would allow the Deir Ammar power plant to deploy nearly 430 megawatts.
• This project, aimed at improving Lebanon’s electricity supply, is part of the US initiative announced during the summer by US Ambassador to Lebanon Dorothy Shea. This is one of two components planned; the second consists of supplying the Lebanese electricity network with power imported from Jordan, also via Syria. Implementing both of these solutions required the US to make exceptions to the sanctions imposed on Syria under the Caesar Act, which target individuals and entities collaborating with the Bashar al-Assad regime.
• Fayad is also expected to meet with the Arab Water Council on Thursday to discuss the terms of the Egyptian gas deal.