Miqati Details his Offer to Build Power Plant Amid Looming Crisis
Premier Najib Miqati said his suggestion to build a power plant that would generate 500 Megawatts of electricity would cost the treasury less than a proposal made by Energy Minister Jebran Bassil to lease vessels, a move that is likely to lead to a clash between them.
In a six-page report that he proposed to the cabinet for discussion at Baabda Palace on Wednesday, Miqati said the establishment of the power plant takes a year and would cost maximum 480 million dollars for at least a 25-year service.
On the other hand, the Prime Minister stressed that the leasing of the ships won’t provide Lebanon with additional electricity given that they would be an alternative for the existing power plants that would undergo maintenance.
Miqati gave a further description of two companies that won the tenders of the power-generating vessels.
The Turkish KARADENIZ firm would generate 180 Megawatts of electricity costing the treasury in a five-year period 429 million dollars without the expenses of the fuel oil, the report said.
It added that the offer of WALLER MARINE, an American company, lies in providing the same amount of energy at the cost of 427 million dollars for the same period.
Miqati admitted in the report, which is part of the 76-item agenda circulated to cabinet ministers, that a ministerial committee tasked with resolving the issue failed in four consecutive meetings to reach conclusions and common viewpoints.
But he stressed that the government should forgo the tenders for the power-generating vessels and issue a new tender to provide 500 Megawatts of electricity through new plants.
Miqati’s offer is likely to stir a new cabinet crisis over the rejection of both Bassil and other ministers loyal to Free Patriotic Movement leader Michel Aoun, and Finance Minister Mohammed al-Safadi of his proposal.
Bassil and al-Safadi also allege that the Prime Minister reduced the role of the ministerial committee that according to them could have reached a decision to resolve the issue.
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