Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani announced a new solar energy project during a visit to Beirut on Friday, 16 October 2026. QatarEnergy and French company TotalEnergies reached an agreement to jointly develop the solar power plant to assist Lebanon.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani stated: "We have agreed to establish a comprehensive framework for cooperation in the energy sector and to present viable solutions." The project represents a partnership between the Qatari state-owned energy firm and the French energy corporation to expand electrical capacity. Both companies intend to provide technical and infrastructure support for the facility. The initiative follows discussions held during the Prime Minister's official visit to the Lebanese capital.
Project Funding and Implementation Details
Financial responsibility for the new solar energy facility rests entirely with the Qatari government, according to Lebanese officials. Prime Minister of Lebanon Nawaf Salam confirmed the specific terms of the agreement regarding the construction and operational phase of the plant. Nawaf Salam stated: "The Qatari side will fund, implement and activate the project without any cost on the Lebanese state,"
This arrangement ensures that the Lebanese government avoids direct capital expenditure for the installation of the solar infrastructure. QatarEnergy and TotalEnergies remain responsible for the technical deployment of the power plant, while the Qatari side maintains oversight of the project’s activation. By assuming these costs, Qatar aims to provide electrical capacity to Lebanon through private-sector partnership and state-level cooperation. The project remains scheduled to proceed under this financing model, relieving the Lebanese state from the burden of the development expenses associated with the site.
Context of Lebanon Energy Crisis
Électricité du Liban, the state electricity company, has accumulated approximately $40bn in debt over the past decades. This financial burden has severely constrained the national power grid's ability to maintain regular supply or invest in necessary infrastructure upgrades. The resulting energy instability remains a significant challenge for the country's public services and residential sectors.
Recent military escalations have further strained the national infrastructure. Israeli attacks on Lebanon have killed more than 4,300 people since March. These hostilities have caused widespread damage to physical facilities, including energy networks and community resources across various districts.
Population displacement has compounded the humanitarian situation resulting from these conditions. The International Organization for Migration reports that more than 300,000 people remain displaced in Lebanon. These individuals have relocated from areas impacted by the ongoing conflict, placing additional pressure on the resources and utility capacities of host communities.
