INTELLIGENT BRANDS // Green Technology
Nexans adopts solar energy
to power its Liban Cables
Plant in Lebanon
Nexans inaugurated a new 600 kW-peak solar power system at its Liban
Cables facility. By replacing one of its six electric generators with photovoltaic
panels, Liban Cables will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 750 tons per
year. The Liban Cables project is the first one to be completed within the
framework of the Small Decentralised Renewable Energy Power Generation
(DREG) Project, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme
and the Lebanese Ministry of Energy and Water.
A
s part of its contribution to
energy transition, Nexans, a
global expert in cables and
cabling solutions, inaugurated a new
600 kilo-watt peak solar power system at
its Liban Cables Naher Ibrahim industrial
facility north of Beirut, Lebanon. This
project, co-funded by Liban Cables
and the Global Environment Facility
(GEF), will allow Liban Cables to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions by 750 tons
per year by replacing one of its diesel
generators with solar energy.
“Energy transition is in the core of
Nexans’ activity but it is also deep-
rooted in the company’s culture,“ said
Benjamin Fitoussi, Nexans Senior EVP
MERA and Industry Solutions and
Projects Business Group.
“Not only are we actively engaged in
assisting our clients in their sustainable
development projects but we also
contribute to a greener environment
through the implementation of our
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own CSR policy. Liban Cables has been
historically an exemplary facility in
terms of environmental protection but
the solar power project is bringing this
engagement to a new level“.
Solar energy as a solution to
electricity supply shortage in Lebanon
To address the electricity supply shortage
issue, most companies in Lebanon rely
on their own diesel generators. However,
with around 300 sunny days in a year and
over eight to nine hours of daily sunshine
in Lebanon, solar energy presents a clean
alternative that can reduce the need
for diesel self-generation and lower the
national utility electricity bill.
The 1,900 photovoltaic panels installed
at Liban Cables and connected to
the plant with Nexans solutions will
generate over 938 mega-watt hours
per year. This renewable energy will
cover over 8% of the electricity needed
by the plant to produce a wide range
of building, industry and infrastructure
cables. The Liban Cables’ plant is one of
the biggest renewable energy projects
in the country and the first one to be
completed within the framework of the
Small Decentralized Renewable Energy
Power Generation (DREG) Project.
The DREG project will cover a portion of
the solar system’s cost through a grant
by the GEF while the remaining cost
will be financed through the National
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Action programme (NEEREA) set up by
Lebanon Central Bank.
NEEREA is a green financing mechanism
supporting energy efficiency and
renewable energy projects for industrial,
residential, commercial and non-profit
use. Initiated by UNDP, the Ministry of
Energy and Water, and Lebanon Central
Bank, NEEREA reflects the desire of the
government to modernise the electricity
supply and promote green energy
projects in Lebanon. n
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