Economic Ministry Campaign Against Generators Continues: 43 Seizures and Confiscations in Less Than a Month

Issued by the media office of the Ministry of Economy:

The campaign conducted by the Ministry of Economy and Trade, in cooperation with the State Security apparatus and coordination with local authorities, continues to pursue owners of unauthorized private generators throughout Lebanese regions, aiming to end violations of the official tariff issued by the Ministry of Energy, and to protect consumers from exploitation and non-compliance with meter installation requirements.

This campaign follows up on decisions made during the exceptional meeting held last week at the Government Palace under the presidency of President Nouf Salam. After the meeting, Minister of Economy and Trade Ammar al-Bassat emphasized that "meters are not optional," and that enforcement against violators will proceed through a direct operational mechanism involving the Ministry of Economy, local authorities—including governors, district chiefs, municipalities—public prosecutors, and security agencies, to accelerate detection of violations, refer them to judicial authorities, issue necessary legal directives, and, where conditions permit, seize and confiscate generators and hand them over to local authorities to ensure uninterrupted service.

The campaign began in recent weeks in northern regions, achieving notable results, and has recently expanded to Beirut and Mount Lebanon, escalating its efforts in targeting violations. Dozens of generators have been seized and confiscated, several generator owners have been detained for refusing to surrender their equipment to relevant municipalities, while additional warnings have been issued to other violators, alongside formal violation reports being drawn up.

To date, the campaign has resulted in the seizure and confiscation of 43 generators within less than a month, delivered to the respective municipalities for monitoring or operation, ensuring service continuity and safeguarding citizens' rights. Additionally, 58 violation reports have been filed against those violating the Ministry of Energy’s tariff (set at 48,241 Lebanese pounds per kilowatt-hour for urban and densely populated areas in August).

While the Ministry of Economy reaffirms that this campaign will continue and expand across all Lebanese regions as part of a clear and firm strategy to address violations that have burdened citizens, it renews its call for public vigilance, urging citizens to report irregularities and file complaints via the MoET Digital Services app or through the hotline of the Lebanese Consumer Association.