Qatar Announces Major Solar Plant Initiative to Address Lebanon’s Energy Crisis

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman also addressed Israeli violations within Lebanese territory during high-level talks with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.

Published On 16 Oct 202616 Oct 2026

Qatar’s Prime Minister has announced ambitious plans to establish a major solar power plant in Lebanon, aiming to provide critical relief to the nation’s crippling energy crisis.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani unveiled the initiative during a visit to Beirut on Friday, following bilateral meetings with his Lebanese counterpart, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.

“We have agreed to establish a comprehensive framework for cooperation in the energy sector to present viable, long-term solutions,” Sheikh Mohammed stated.

Under the initial phase of this partnership, QatarEnergy has collaborated with the French multinational energy company TotalEnergies to jointly develop a large-scale solar power plant.

The core objective is to forge a highly lucrative investment project that revitalizes the Lebanese economy while simultaneously boosting the commercial interests of participating Qatari corporations and entities.

Prime Minister Salam announced that he will present the comprehensive plans for the restructuring of Lebanon’s electricity sector to the Lebanese Cabinet for approval in the coming days.

Crucially, Prime Minister Salam emphasized that the Qatari side will fully fund, implement, and activate the project, incurring zero financial costs for the Lebanese state—an essential lifeline given the country’s severe economic collapse.

Lebanon’s state electricity company has historically been a massive drain on public finances, accumulating approximately $40 billion in debt over recent decades due to a bloated workforce, outdated grid infrastructure, and chronic mismanagement. Currently, the utility provides only a few hours of daily electricity, and until recently, the state relied on central bank advances to secure basic fuel supplies.

Sheikh Mohammed expressed that Doha remains in steadfast solidarity with the Lebanese people and the broader region during this dire hour. Lebanon’s multifaceted energy crisis has been severely compounded by the nation’s historic financial collapse and the ongoing military escalations.

Earlier in the day, the Qatari Prime Minister also held discussions with Lebanon’s President and the Speaker of the Parliament.

Key topics of discussion included the volatile security situation in southern Lebanon, where ongoing Israeli military operations have resulted in the capture of numerous towns and villages.

Sheikh Mohammed noted that what he termed ‘Israeli violations within Lebanese territories’ constituted a major focus of his diplomatic discussions.

He reiterated the international call for Israel to withdraw from Lebanese territory and cease all military hostilities. Furthermore, Qatar is coordinating with the United States to establish the foundational frameworks for the future reconstruction of southern Lebanon, facilitating the safe return of displaced citizens to their homes.

Despite a ceasefire agreement reached in June, Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon have persisted. While the US-brokered framework stipulates that the Lebanese government must disarm Iran-backed Hezbollah in exchange for a gradual Israeli withdrawal from occupied southern territories, Hezbollah is not a direct signatory to the deal and has refused to lay down its arms until a complete Israeli withdrawal is guaranteed.

According to Lebanese authorities, Israeli military campaigns since March have resulted in the deaths of over 4,300 individuals within the country. At the peak of the conflict, approximately 1.2 million people were displaced within Lebanon.

Although the majority of those displaced have returned home following the June ceasefire, more than 300,000 individuals remain internally displaced or unable to return, according to data from the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

Prime Minister Salam concluded by expressing profound gratitude to Qatar for its continuous, unwavering support during some of Lebanon’s most difficult and darkest hours.

Source link