With electricity shortages in Lebanon at a peak and fuel to run backup generators becoming increasingly unaffordable, local authorities can no longer ensure access to essential services which is leading to increased communal tensions over limited resources. In response, USAID’s Community Support Program (CSP) is implementing a series of 22 solar energy interventions across Lebanon to counter the collapse of essential services. These include supporting municipalities to sustain the provision of services such as water, streetlighting, household electricity, and powering a seedling nursery and farmer equipment, as well as enhancing a recyclables facility. The interventions are expected to increase electricity from two to eight hours per day, decrease CO2 emissions, and generate employment opportunities in the near future.

USAID’s CSP was selected ‘Best in Show’ in the innovation competition at the Society for International Development – United States (SID-US) annual conference 2022 for its solar interventions. The hybrid conference brought together more than 1,000 international development actors who recognized USAID/CSP’s innovative approach to solving the gap in delivery of critical services through affordable, renewable energy. These interventions will strengthen access to services, enhance livelihoods, and mitigate tensions for more than 310,000 residents. “The competitive advantage of the solar energy approach lies in its adaptability. With the right engineering know-how, it can be applied, and scaled to a diversity of sectors according to any energy need” – Rhett Gurian, CSP Chief of Party

Caption: USAID/CSP provides the Ainata Agricultural COOP with a solar-powered welding station to maintain production amidst the fuel crisis