Lebanon holds emergency meeting over rising generator electricity bills

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam chaired an exceptional meeting at the Government Serail to address the rising costs of private electricity generator bills and to implement stricter measures against pricing violations. The meeting included the Minister of Economy and Trade, the Minister of Energy and Water, and various security and judicial officials.

Minister of Economy and Trade Amer al-Bassat stated that while global diesel prices have risen significantly—with Mediterranean low-sulfur diesel exceeding $1,300 per ton in late August—the government recognizes that some local price hikes are unjustified. In Lebanon, the price of a diesel canister rose by approximately 35% between July 7 and August 21, and the official kilowatt-hour rate for generators in coastal areas increased by over 18%.

The government emphasized that rising fuel costs do not grant anyone the right to exploit citizens or impose illegal fees. Authorities have already begun taking action in Tripoli and Al-Mina, where security agencies and the judiciary have cooperated to document violations and, where necessary, confiscate generators to ensure legal compliance.