A generator in the Ras al-Nabaa neighborhood of Beirut. (Credit: Nicholas Frakes File Photo)
The price per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for private or neighborhood electricity generators, which supply power to make up for insufficient production by the public supplier Électricité du Liban (EDL), has been set at LL 32,269 for May bills, down 4.6 percent on April's LL 33,815. The rate has been falling steadily since February, according to the various rates published by the Energy and Water Ministry.
Converted at the exchange rate used by the Ministry for its calculations, i.e. LL 89,700 to the dollar, this rate is equivalent to $0.38. This rate was unchanged from the previous month, which has been steady for some time. The average price of fuel oil used by the ministry is LL 1,513,317 per 20 liters, down 5.4 percent on the previous month (LL 1,600,650).
As usual, the price per kWh is increased by 10 percent in mountainous regions (over 700 meters altitude) and rural areas, where it rises to LL 35,496.
To calculate their bill, each customer must multiply the price per kWh supplied by the ministry by their consumption as recorded on an individual meter, which the generator owner must have installed. A flat-rate charge must be added and it varies according to the maximum current delivered in amperes (A).
For a maximum current of 5 A, the monthly charge is set at LL 385,000 (unchanged), and for a current of 10 A at LL 685,000 (unchanged). The Ministry is also imposing a surcharge estimated this month at LL 300,000 for each additional 5 A above 10 A (unchanged). These tariffs also include a 10 percent margin for operators.
The ministry also maintains the specificities concerning elevators and common areas of buildings connected in three phases, specifying that their fixed tariffs will be calculated on the basis of a single-phase installation. For example, if the elevator and common areas have a 3 x 15 A three-phase circuit breaker, their fixed tariff will be calculated on the basis of a 15 A capacity, not a 45 A capacity, i.e. LL 985,000 rather than LL2,785,000.
Generator owners – illegal operators but tolerated because of EDL's chronic shortages – are numerous in applying the tariffs and guidelines put in place by the Energy Ministry and Economy and Commerce Ministry. Some of still refuse to comply and continue to charge flat rates, sometimes in dollars, which is illegal. Others go so far as to charge VAT to their subscribers or add extra charges to customers who have installed solar panels.
This article originally appeared in French in L'Orient-Le Jour.