Slight decline in private generator rates in March

The price per kilowatt-hour (kWh) charged by private or neighborhood generators for March 2025 has slightly decreased, ending three months of consecutive increases, according to the latest tariff schedule published Friday by the Ministry of Energy and Water.

Subscribers must multiply the fixed price by their recorded consumption, measured by an individual meter that operators are required to install. In mountainous areas above 700 meters and rural regions, the kWh price is LL 32,972 (about $0.37), a 10 percent increase.

The average diesel price used to calculate the tariff is LL 1,338,852 per 20 liters, down 6.7 percent from February. Other pricing components, including a 10 percent margin, remain unchanged. The monthly flat rate for a maximum intensity of 5 amperes (A) is LL 385,000 ($4.29), while 10 A costs LL 685,000 ($7.64). A surcharge of LL 300,000 ($3.34) applies for every additional 5 A beyond 10 A.

For three-phase meters, such as those powering elevators, an additional flat rate is based on reference capacity. For an elevator with three phases supporting 15 A each, the charge should be LL 985,000 ($10.98) instead of LL 2,785,000 ($31.05).

Private generators, tolerated for decades, have become an alternative to Électricité du Liban’s (EDL) chronic production shortfall. A 2017 rule requires operators to install individual meters, but many still charge flat rates regardless of consumption or demand payment in dollars.