Energy and Water Minister Joe Saddi reaffirmed Wednesday his commitment to finding "sustainable solutions" to Lebanon’s electricity crisis, in a country that has suffered from limited public electricity supply since the end of the 1975-1990 Civil War.

At a press conference, Saddi announced his plans to invest in renewable energy, "fight corruption," work toward establishing the long-awaited Electricity Regulatory Authority, and adopt a stance of "constructive neutrality," distancing himself from the political disputes that have long plagued the ministry.

The Energy Ministry has been under the control of the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) since 2008. Saddi, nominated by the Lebanese Forces and who previously outlined similar priorities upon taking office in February, reiterated his goal of staying above partisan conflicts.

'Theft must stop'

Explaining "the need to increase the production capacity of Électricité du Liban (EDL)," the minister attributed Lebanon’s high electricity costs to three main factors: "the use of fuel oil," "the absence of modern gas-powered plants," and the fact that "billing and collection do not exceed 60 percent, while the remaining 40 percent is lost to waste and theft."

"Theft must stop, and regions that cooperate will receive additional hours of electricity," Saddi warned. He also clarified that he is not responsible for electricity rationing decisions, saying, "Électricité du Liban manages and determines rationing schedules."

"I will not comment on past failures, and you will never hear me say, ‘We were not allowed to do it,’" he pledged. His predecessor, Walid Fayyad, argued last August that U.S. sanctions imposed under the Caesar Act, which targets the Syrian Assad regime and its allies, contributed to EDL’s near-total collapse since 2020. Fayyad also blamed political disputes for worsening Lebanon’s energy crisis.

Focus on renewable energy

Acknowledging that his ministry has been severely impacted by Lebanon’s ongoing economic crisis, Saddi said, "The challenge is great," but stressed that "reform does not happen overnight." He urged "officials who genuinely care about the public good" to join efforts to overhaul the sector.

"I encourage qualified Lebanese to submit their CVs so they can be transparently selected," he added, highlighting that "85 percent of ministry positions remain vacant, including all first- and second-class posts."

"Reform begins with appointing boards of directors and general managers, as well as enforcing all existing laws," he said. "Our first step is to establish the regulatory authority, which is crucial for granting large-scale renewable energy licenses. This is a key reform demanded by all donor entities."

Saddi reaffirmed the government’s commitment to renewable energy, saying, "We advocate for renewables because they reduce costs and benefit the environment." His stance aligns with the policies of his predecessor, Fayyad, who oversaw a sharp rise in Lebanon’s reliance on solar energy during his tenure.

Under Fayyad’s leadership, Lebanon saw a 1,200 percent increase in solar energy installations in less than two years, raising the country’s actual solar energy consumption share to 25 percent, with a target of 40 percent by 2030.