It is obvious that the current electricity problem is politicized. It is not logical and practically impossible for the current minister to have caused the problems! Ever since I can recall, Lebanon has had power cuts, furthermore, the previous governments never took care of the problems, especially the Siniora and the Saad Hariri governments. Both of these previous PMs were losers, they served only their masters' interests and their main aim was to disarm the resistance. Now that the current electricity minister is actualy making the people face the issues as a whole, they are blaming him. I am not a fan of Bassil but I do side with what is right.

Lastly, I wonder, how did the late PM Hariri manage to rebuild downtown Beirut, Saida, and many other towns and cities in Lebanon ,but wasn't able to fix the electrical problems? The answer is he was unable to do so because he could not step on certain people's toes to get it done!!!! I recall that when I met him here in Los Angeles, he said the main thing now is to bring stability back to Lebanon, once this is at hand we can then deal with the other pressing problems that plague the nation. But sadly his life was cut short and once again Lebanon took a couple of steps back into the dark ages. The sad part of it all is that some Lebanese still have not learned that no one can help them but themselves.

If it were up to me, I'd toss most of the current politicians into prison and hang some of them and create a new constitution that is free of nepotism and sectarianism, otherwise the country is never gonna get well.

I am a Lebanese prof. of power engineering in the US, but I visit Lebanon and would probably return if there were a real and serious plan for energy restructuring with suitable opportunities. The power crisis in Lebanon has existed since the mid-1970s, and every Lebanese knows that politics is deeply involved in this matter. Electricity is no longer a luxury, and is needed every minute for appropriate human life. The problem in Lebanon is that the population is not treated in a humane manner.

While everyone knows that Lebanese politics might be hard to fix, the electricity problem has solutions. These solutions should start from three places:

1) the people who do not pay bills or have illegal power lines;

2) the ministry of electricity, because it pays a huge amount of money to Lebanese consultants who are disconnected from the energy world, pays significant amounts to maintain very old equipment, conspires with private generators, and does not issue laws that support less consumption and energy efficiency;

3) Academic and research institutions that have very limited research skills, equipment, and, of course, lack the will to solve the Lebanese electricity crisis.

If you survey energy programs in Lebanon, you will find a major deficiency in students, faculty, staff, researchers, equipment, funding, etc. even though this is one of the fastest growing fields in the world. If any journalist is interested in performing this survey, they should not only count staff members, but look for research facilities, research publications, and look into how old Lebanese energy standards are compared to the rest of the (developing or developed) world.

Like you said, Imad, the late Rafiq Hariri would have done something about this nightmare of electricity. It is insane that these politicians cannot decide or take action or pursue their funds from other Arab countries. I agree with you about these politicians -- they are full of crap. I need to go and visit my dad this summer, and am indecisive about going because of electricity cuts. I went in 2008; it was terrible, and I feel bad for my Dad, who has to live there. Something should be done; people are suffering on a daily basis.

I am the general manager of www.ecofriendlyme.com.lb and we are trying to improve the electrical situation in Lebanon by providing energy independence to locals in Lebanon through renewable energy technologies.

Renewables is yet one more solution for Lebanon’s energy woes.