Lebanon to boost electricity output

BEIRUT, Lebanon, Oct. 8 (UPI) -- The Lebanese government is considering buying new electricity generators capable of generating 300 megawatts to reduce power rationing.

The Daily Star reported Wednesday that Energy and Water Minister Alain Tabourian said at a conference that the plan has the initial approval of caretaker Prime Minister Fouad Siniora, commenting, "Siniora called me yesterday and asked me to speed up the implementation of the project."

If all goes according to plan, the new generators, costing an estimated $250 million to $350 million, could be installed next to existing electrical stations in a matter of months and become operational next summer.

Lebanon has been subjected to severe power rationing since its civil war ended in 1990, despite the attempts of successive governments to alleviate the shortages. The late former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri's government spent $1.5 billion to build two new gas-fired stations and modernize existing ones, but electrical shortages persist. Lebanon currently generates 1,600 megawatts of electricity while the country's actual need is more than 2,300 megawatts.