Bassil: We Can End Electricity Crisis by Leasing Power-Generating Ships, Constructing New Plants
Energy Minister Jebran Bassil rejected on Tuesday the abandonment of his proposal to lease power-generating ships in order to end Lebanon’s electricity crisis, saying that such a measure would lead to a “catastrophe” in Lebanon.
The minister said during a press conference after the Change and Reform bloc’s weekly meeting: “A solution, which we think is logical and fair, lies in leasing the vessels and constructing new power plants.”
“The ships are not a permanent solution, but a temporary one and they are necessary given the current deadlock,” he added.
“We are not challenging anyone because electricity belongs to all the Lebanese,” he continued.
He explained that he had conducted the necessary studies and presented the needed reports regarding the power-generating ships, but his efforts were met with objections from within the government.
“I responded by saying that I am only concerned with the best proposal to end the crisis,” said the energy minister.
Bassil is pushing for the leasing of power-generating vessels. Two companies, Turkish and American, have already won the tenders and are expected to cost the treasury over $1 billion - around $400 million for the rent and $500 million for fuel prices.
But Prime Minister Najib Miqati has openly opposed the project, advocating instead a proposal by the GE company to construct a power plant at the cost of $500 million.
“We received a report from Miqati on the GE proposal. He is entitled to make a position on the matter and I believe him as he is a man of institutions,” said Bassil.
“Several fatal mistakes were committed in the premier’s report however and I had hoped that he would avoid them,” he noted.
Leasing power-generating vessels would save the country $130 million a year and if merging their power to the electrical grid would save the citizens $400 million, he revealed.
“We are in need of the ships at all times of the year and not just during the summer,” he continued.
“I don’t see a reason why we shouldn’t reach an agreement on the matter at cabinet. I don’t mind subjecting it to a vote,” he declared.
“Don’t we have the right to have electricity? Why is it that a project is always thwarted when we have already made most of the efforts?” he asked.
“We are heading towards a crisis and we have been speaking of this for years,” he stated.
“Why should each project be thwarted? Why do we do this to the Lebanese? Why should one company and one person be victorious against the people? We demand the truth. Abandoning the power-generating ships is out of the question as doing so will cause a disaster,” he stressed.
Furthermore, he revealed that funding is not a problem because companies have voiced their readiness to help Lebanon because they know that resolving the electricity crisis will ease economic problems.
Asked if the government would resign over the electricity dispute, Bassil responded: “Do you think we will remain in government open-endedly without being productive?”
He added however: “We will remain in government until further notice.”
Prior to Bassil’s conference, Free Patriotic Movement leader MP Michel Aoun had held a press conference after the Change and Reform bloc’s weekly meeting, stating that Lebanon refuses to target Syria’s security.
He said: “The actions of some parties in Lebanon contradict Arab League articles that demand that the regimes of Arab countries be respected.”
In addition, he noted that Lebanon’s national pact outlines the ties between Lebanon and Syria, “while maintaining their fraternal nature.”
“I would like to remind the Lebanese government and officials in the Foreign Ministry of the need to respect other countries in accordance with the Arab League charter,” said the MP.
12 years
We cannot distance ourselves from the people's problems, we like to be on hand to create those problems and watch them flourish.
12 years
Flame ,Mouwate when was the last time you paid your bills?Ashraf el ness
bas electricity thieves?
12 years
hahah really nice! sorry u asked for it snatch
12 years
we all get censored by Naharnet when we cross the red line. It's just that in Lebanon everyone's used to doing it. a bad habit that Naharnet fights in its own way. I recognize I sometime push it too far, so thank-you admin for doing your job which is the right thing and is in everyone's best interest.
12 years
Come on ... take it easy on these guys ... start with explaining what a bill is first!!!! they have never seen one so they did not know how to answer except with insults.
12 years
mowaten of iran does not think he ever does anything wrong....! He also is for maintaining a certain level of decency. Pretty civil for a person who calls anybody who disagrees with him a "zionist".... laughable indeed!
12 years
so why are you offended when we call you syro/iranian traitor? this is what you are after all :)
12 years
Wow...
Look at that, they were arguying on who should get the cheese (Bassil with his non-transparent tender or Mikati with his friend building a power plant), and suddenly, they found the perfect solution - Let's have both...It is a win-win situation for both politicians (the only looser is the Lebanese people who will pay for both)
12 years
idiot...
12 years
A $450 million provides $4,500 subsidy to 100,000 homes to install photovoltaic panels & insulation on a first-come basis on condition of achieving 80% energy reduction and using PV panels/building skins assembled in Lebanon. This creates jobs and reduce electricity needs by 20%. Lebanon may win a third of funds from international agencies and carbon trading allowing even more subsidies. New subsidies should go to municipalities for wind generation, geothermic or hydraulic plants. Lebanon high mountains are great for PV or mirror thermal plants, being higher than most clouds. Mountains and valleys create microclimates perfect for wind generation. Subsidy also should benefit large scale implementation of renewable energy/conservation and manufacturing/research. This goes a long way in solving Lebanon dependency. Turkey is installing 100 meter diameter wind turbines and UAE building first class research institution in Masdar City while we are robbed by corrupt political mafia!
12 years
Mr. Bassil sound so genuine and caring ,if i did not know him and know his family i would almost believe him . but i wanna ask him where did he get his money to buy large amount of lands in the Batroun district ? . it is all about lining the pockets .
12 years
hahaha the never ending Joke of lands and private jets. one question thow, if he does own half of Batroun why don't any of 14M politicians go to Libanpost and get a document called (nafeh MElkieh) it shows all the real estare owned by a certian person and then uncover Bassil for the thief he is. Come on people be civilized and propose programs not rumors
12 years
so called kesrweneh: kindly stop using this name as we know you are not from keswen.
you are from dahieh, and a syro/iranian like the other traitors.
12 years
Maman, les p'tits bateaux
Qui vont sur l'eau ont-ils des jambes ?
Mais oui, mon gros bêta,
S'ils n'en avaient pas, ils ne march'raient pas
12 years
Great job and very professional press conference, full of figures and facts. This is totally what we need, more professionalism and less politics, after all electricity is a national problem. BTW as always when Bassil or GMA speek the M14 comments have nothing to do with what any of them said just jokes ang general insults. I think this shows those 2 are untouchable.
NB: for all those thinking Shiaa are the one not paying their bills, the EDL last report showed that Sunnis(aakar and Bekaa)come in 1st place then of course Shiaa and the gold medal of good citizenship goes to Kesrwan with more then 95%!! thank you for the standing ovation ;)
12 years
Actually he said we have figures and fact, he's still to show them to anybody. Previously he said the same thing then his figures and facts were wrong. Do you remember a bloke named Charbel Nahhass, he had figures and facts showing that the decree he was asked to sign was illegal and Bassil, Aoun, Kanaan agreed with him ans said we will support him no matter what. Then Nasrallah told Bassil, Aoun, Kanaan that the decree had to be signed and they agreed with him and the decree was no longer illegal Charbel and out out on his Nahhass.
12 years
got it all wrong regarding Nahas, the decree was against the law because no law ratified it, when a law project was submitted to the parliement it was bound to be legal again. Tadaaaa
12 years
Imbassil
12 years
.....or we can end the crisis if the mtweili mafia pays and lives like men and not beggars.
Hey Bassil.....why don't you propose that to your Hezz masters??
12 years
I know I waste my time stating the obvious here This is the last time. March 14 and Maqati do not want Bassil to suceed at anything even though it is obvious that Lebanon needs electricity and this is a logical short term solution bridging the gap until new generating capacity can be constructed. Anyone who argues against a reasonable approach to this problem should not complain when there are blackouts and should get a portion of the the bribes and payola when March 14 forces reassume control. They have established a clear precedent of corruption with no basic accounting or fiduciary responsibility. They could have addressed this problem years ago but were too busy letting everyone steal public money. Oh how you lomg for those good old days.
12 years
if he didnt steal so much, he'd say 'we could build power generating ships and lease some of them to other poorer countries'. liar. thief.
12 years
Hey thief, Does Lebanon have a ship mbuilding industry let alone one that can build energy generation vessels?? It would take 5 years and billions of dollars just to build 1 ship starting from scratch. Lebanon cannot afford to lease ships without help. It seems some of you people are completely illogical and unrealistic. It isn't magic or Allah that makes the light go on or the house cool down when you turn on the switch.
12 years
Lets be fair. I have to admit, it was a good "mo2tamar sahafe" and what he said made sense.
Add to that, it´s difficult accusing him for stealing anything with the history of the previous governments. EVEN if he is stealing, who cares if we will finally get electricity in the country.
12 years
Does he ever look into mirror and see the lies he tells.
12 years
Free Patriotic Movement = the never ending circuses
12 years
very deep and constructive! are M14?
12 years
ar u m14?*
12 years
At best, the FPM is nothing more than a Flea circus (good for amusement). At worst, it is a bunch of trators and thieves being lead by a demented deserter (good for nothing)... Is that deep enough for you?
No, I am not M14.
12 years
Yes of course and back then the FPM was almost the only Lebanese Political power resisting them, and we finally managed to kick them out. However some people still think the war is not over and are still fighting the Syrian eventhough they went back to their country so...
12 years
back then my friend this regime was occupying the country now that we have kicked him off, he is our neighbourgh again and as such deseves repect and good relationships. Would you carry an umbrella during the summer?
12 years
Sorry for the "my Friend" thing seems it's upsetting for you. So dear Sir, just like thousands of FPM I was thrown in Jail for 13 days during my military service because I openly opposed the Syrian occupation army back then late Mr.Harriri was PM and General Sleiman was Army leader, should I take legal action against both of them? Or should I say I reached my goal by freeing the country so Let Rafic el Harriri rest in peace and General Sleiman continue whatever he’s doing? During the war LF robbed my house and imprisoned my older brother because he refused to work for them filling sand bags, should I prosecute Geagea and his people or should I say what’s done is done today is a new day and they are only accountable for their post war actions?
12 years
The same applies for Syria, the Syrian people will choose his regime and as long as this government keeps his army away from my home land we are good neighbors and we should both act as such
PS:I hope I answered all ur questions (politely might I say)
12 years
.....oh i have tears in my eyes! As a result, you became a crazed sectarian Aouni?
12 years
Being Neutral I question how we suddenly have so many "guests" on Naharnet attacking the trio of Keserweneh,Flamethrower and Mowatein or whatever his name....
We are never going to have a country worth the name if we cant have a normal discussion without bringing up conspiracy theories.
You dont agree with the trio? Confront their theories instead of writing insults...
12 years
thank you!! finallty some sens
12 years
@FT..
"the opposition is in disarray and more disorganized than ever"...
Who are you man? Michel Aoun?? hehehe...
12 years
If the problem is that there are people not paying that bill then why the government crack down on them? I wish some one can ask Bassil this question and would pay money to hear his answer.
12 years
To Tourist
Oh lordy lordy lordy Tourist...it must have been your first encounter with a female....I understand your confusion. Let me try explain it to you in a plain/simple way. The thing that covers a female from top to bottom is called Niqab, not bikini.
And if this Niqak's color is brown instead of black, this doesn't mean that the wearer is a European Blonde...it just mean that it was too hot for the women to wear black.
12 years
Oh yeah...and one more thing Tourist
That golden liquid that you saw the women drink - it is called tea - not Wiskey okay...
Hope this helps remove any confusion on your next trip...or may i suggest for your next trip to go to Saint Tropez..you will be able to see the difference...but it could be too sudden of a change from the Niqab wearing women that you are used to encountering in Egypt, so i advise caution.
12 years
hahaha hey Le FT ;))! man did u read the pathetic guest? hehe 7abet
12 years
FT...ya FT...it is not related.
How could you be organized when you are crushed by a regime that has half a million men! By a regime who has been holding on to power for over half a century... who are you to speak ? Who are you to judge those people ready to die for freedom! Assad brought nothing good, and maybe the outcome will be worse, but you cannot support the massacres, the torture the killings & the executions against people who want to be free! People who do so are Animals!
The outcome cannot be good on a short term basis...I know...only in a long term... 30 years ago, swiss women could not be elected... they could not vote before 1971... same for Monaco, Portugal... how many centuries did it take them to get Democracy...revolutions, and wars... NOT DICTATORS!
Now, please be kind to refrain from judging my common sense... something you're obviously deprived of...amongst other things...
12 years
hahaha..."Lame Thrower"...i like that...
Anyway, thanks for your irrational explanation... it shows you sufficiency as is comforts only yourself. You now make the apologia of the French resistance... great, apply it to your dear Hezbollah instead of giving lesson to the deprived people of Syria. Incoherence at it's best...yes...Lame thrower suits you like a glove...
get lost