Cabinet Approves Result of Deir Ammar Tender, Hikes Gas Stations' Portion of Fuel Profits

The cabinet on Tuesday approved the result of the tender organized to operate the Deir Ammar power generation project, which was won by the Greek construction group J&P-Avax.

“The relevant measures will be taken in order to finalize the process of signing the contract,” Information Minister Walid al-Daouq told reporters after a cabinet session at the Grand Serail.

On December 20, Energy and Water Minister Jebran Bassil asked companies interested in operating the country's power plants, including Deir Amar, to review the government's new terms and conditions, revealing that the previous tender failed for financial reasons which neither the government nor the company that won the tender had managed to overcome.

Separately, the cabinet approved the Ministry of Energy and Water's proposal to increase the portion of fuel profits received by the owners of gas stations, fulfilling the demand of the union of gas station owners.

Gas stations were receiving 10 percent of the profit when the price of gasoline was at LBP 15,000 per 20 liters, but the portion was not hiked after the price of gasoline went up.