EDL cuts power to public institutions over unpaid bills

The Lebanese state electricity provider, Electricité du Liban (EDL), started disconnecting electricity to public administrations, institutions and municipalities on Monday, as part of a campaign to recover outstanding payments estimated at around $250 million.

This move targets government ministries, official bodies, water authorities and municipalities that have failed to settle their electricity bills, as EDL seeks to recover revenues needed to sustain its operations amid mounting financial difficulties.

Speaking to The Beiruter on condition of anonymity, an EDL source disclosed the names of several institutions and administrations covered by the decision. They include the Council for Development and Reconstruction (CDR), the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, the Directorate General of Urban Planning, the Directorate General of Education at the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, the Land Registry Directorates and the Directorate General of Customs.

The source added that the decision was not intended to “punish” the institutions concerned or disrupt their work, but rather to enforce compliance with payment obligations and establish a regular system for settling electricity bills. The source further stated that EDL must secure its financial rights to “ensure the continuity of its operations.”

The decision follows repeated warnings to public institutions over their accumulated debts and a deadline giving them until November 2 to settle their outstanding dues.

OGERO among those affected

The consequences of the decision were already tangible across several regions, with OGERO, Lebanon’s state-owned telecommunications operator, declaring on Monday that EDL had cut electricity to a number of its telephone centers.

In a statement, OGERO informed its subscribers that power had been disconnected at facilities in Antelias, Bikfaya, Mzaret Yachouh, Aarouba, Sin El Fil, Dora, Bsous, Beit Chabab, Saida, Souq El Gharb, Hamana, Aley, Zouk, Jounieh, Batroun, Abhein and Kfarhilda.

It is worthy to note that OGERO operates and maintains much of Lebanon’s fixed-line telephone and internet infrastructure, making the interruption particularly significant for telecommunications services in the affected areas.

The disconnections show how the collection campaign could extend beyond administrative offices, potentially affecting public services that rely on electricity to maintain their daily operations.

BIA & EDL reach agreement

Meanwhile, Beirut’s International Airport (BIA) avoided having its electricity supply disconnected after the Directorate General of Civil Aviation reached an agreement with EDL.

According to local media reports, the agreement requires the directorate to immediately pay part of its accumulated electricity debt, settle the remaining balance through installments and commit to paying new electricity bills on a monthly basis.

The arrangement offers an alternative to disconnection for institutions willing to begin settling their debts and agree on a payment schedule.

According to Saudi daily Asharq Al-Awsat, the accumulated debts owed by public administrations and institutions are estimated at approximately $250 million, a substantial amount at a time when EDL is struggling to secure the revenues needed to finance fuel purchases and operate its power plants.

EDL’s financial difficulties have been compounded by years of irregular payments, increased electricity tariffs, insufficient budget allocations at some public institutions and the impact of the regional conflict on fuel prices and electricity revenues.

Telecommunications Ministry transfers $5.2 million

In a separate development on November 3, the Ministry of Telecommunications announced that it had transferred $5.199 million in invoiced electricity payments to the Ministry of Finance.

The ministry also said an additional $1.275 million in invoices had been submitted for settlement through a Treasury advance under Decree 12816.

A test of financial discipline across state institutions

Beyond the immediate financial benefits, EDL’s decision raises a broader question about the Lebanese state’s ability to enforce its authority and apply the law consistently across its own institutions.

For years, public administrations have accumulated unpaid bills while the state electricity provider has struggled to collect revenues and maintain a sustainable operating cycle. Requiring government bodies to meet the same payment obligations as private subscribers represents an attempt to address a longstanding weakness in the management of public finances.

However, the effectiveness of the campaign will depend on whether it is implemented consistently and without exceptions. Other ministries, administrations and public bodies should also be held accountable for their outstanding debts, rather than allowing payment obligations to be enforced selectively.

The recovery of public money and the restoration of financial discipline within state institutions cannot rest on isolated disconnections or temporary payment arrangements. They require a sustained policy under which all public entities are expected to settle their bills and respect the same rules.