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Generators: Price per kilowatt hour up 40.9 percent in February

Generators: Price per kilowatt hour up 40.9 percent in February

(Credit: Joao Sousa / L'Orient Today)

BEIRUT — The price of electricity provided by private generators again rose in February as the value of the Lebanese lira continued to fall against the US dollar on the parallel market, according to prices published by the Energy Ministry on Tuesday.

This new rise in the tariffs comes as Électricité du Liban slightly increased its electricity provision in recent weeks, from barely one hour per day to two to three hours. 

According to the Energy Ministry, the price per kilowatt hour (kWh) produced by private generators in February is now LL27,677, an increase of 40.9 percent compared to the previous month's tariff (LL19,641). In accordance with the applied modalities, this tariff is increased by 10 percent in mountainous (more than 700 meters above sea level) and/or rural areas to LL30,445 per kWh.

The February tariff was calculated based on the average price of fuel oil over the month: LL1,339,447 per 20 liters.

This price amounts to an increase of 105.1 percent compared to the previous month (LL653,056 per 20 liters of fuel oil).

As it does every month, the ministry also accounted for the additional costs incurred by generator operators (changing oil, filters and other parts), as well as the depreciation cost of the generator itself, using an exchange rate of LL72,111  to the dollar, compared to a rate of LL50,362 used in January.

The bill when calculated in dollars, however, remains almost equal that of January as the kWh price went from $0.39 in January to $0.38 in February. These rates also include a 10 percent margin for the benefit of the generator operators.

For a maximum current of 5 amperes, the monthly charge is LL250,000 in February (compared to LL185,000 the previous month). For a maximum current of 10 amperes, the charge is LL540,000 (compared to LL335,000 the previous month). The ministry is also imposing a surcharge, estimated this month at LL200,000 for each additional 5 amperes for clients with 10 amperes or more, compared to LL150,000 the previous month.

In a statement issued upon announcing the decision, the Energy Ministry once again called on generator owners to comply with the decision of the Economy and Trade Ministry regarding the obligation to install meters. The ministry also pointed out that generator owners are not allowed to display their prices in dollars or add extra charges such as VAT to the invoice unless they are registered with the Finance Ministry in accordance with the law, and called on the Economy Ministry to strengthen the enforcement of these measures.

BEIRUT — The price of electricity provided by private generators again rose in February as the value of the Lebanese lira continued to fall against the US dollar on the parallel market, according to prices published by the Energy Ministry on Tuesday.This new rise in the tariffs comes as Électricité du Liban slightly increased its electricity provision in recent weeks, from barely one hour per...