Written by Joyce houeiss for JNews Lebanon
Lebanese citizens enter September facing a fresh financial shock that has reignited the daily crisis of living. The Ministry of Energy and Water announced the August tariff for private generators at $0.54 per kWh (equivalent to 48,241 LBP at the official rate of 89,700 LBP/USD), marking a 19% increase compared to July.
By the Numbers: How Household Expenses Doubled
With monthly fixed fees remaining at $4.29 (385,000 LBP) for a 5-Ampere subscription and $7.63 (685,000 LBP) for 10 Amperes (plus an additional $3.34 for every extra 5 Amperes), the average household bill now consumes an entire monthly salary:
| Consumption Volume (August) | Total Cost (Urban Areas) | Cost in Remote Areas (+10%) |
|---|---|---|
| 250 kWh (Minimum Consumption) | $138.74 | $152.18 |
| 400 kWh (Average Consumption) | $219.41 | $244.27 |
| 600 kWh (High Consumption) | $326.97 | $362.58 |
First-Hand Testimonies: “We Work Just to Pay the Power Bill”
In a field survey tracking the impact of this surge on the street, citizens expressed total helplessness:
Abu Muhammad (Retiree from Beirut): “I used 380 kWh this month, and despite turning off air conditioners most of the time, my bill came to nearly $208. My entire retirement pension cannot cover this single expense. We live in a bizarre reality: we pay for electricity twice and receive neither reliably.”
Rana (Schoolteacher and mother of two in Metn): “The generator operator refuses to abide by the meter under the pretext of maintenance costs, forcing an extra $15 maintenance fee above the ministry’s schedule. Between the severe drop in state power supply during August and the scorching heat, we were left with two choices: let our children suffocate in the heat or take on debt to pay the bill.”
Root Causes: Diesel Costs and State Power Drops
According to exclusive information obtained by JNews Lebanon, this price spike stems directly from rising fuel costs. The ministry calculated the tariff using an average diesel tank price of approximately $26.92 (a 22% surge compared to $22.20 in July), alongside a 7.3% rise in the global benchmark price for diesel fuel, which moved from $1,183.25 to $1,270.04 per ton by late August.
Worsening the crisis, state electricity generation (Electricité du Liban) plummeted during August due to delayed fuel shipments. Combined with high summer temperatures and prolonged air-conditioner usage, citizens were forced to rely far more heavily on private generators during the exact month costs peaked.
Lack of Oversight and Warnings of an Upcoming Shock
Exclusive sources from the Consumers Lebanon Association told JNews Lebanon that the issue extends beyond the official tariff to rampant violations and exploitation by generator operators, including:
- Imposing unannounced flat fees under the guise of “maintenance and spare parts.”
- Tampering with meters or blending generator charges with solar power systems.
- Demanding direct cash payments in USD at exchange rates exceeding official pricing.
With ongoing tensions near the Strait of Hormuz and potential increases in global crude oil prices, the Lebanese public fears that September’s tariff will deliver an even harsher economic blow—leaving families to choose between complete darkness or forfeiting basic life necessities.
