Understanding Your Generator Subscription Bill in Lebanon
With Électricité du Liban supplying only a few hours of power per day in most areas, private neighborhood generators have become the de-facto second utility. The Ministry of Energy and Water publishes a monthly maximum tariff that every moutaad (generator operator) must respect.
The two parts of every bill
- Fixed monthly fee — tied to the amperage you subscribed (commonly 5 A, 10 A, 15 A or 20 A). The fee covers wear, fuel filters and operator profit.
- Variable kWh charge — capped at the monthly tariff set by the Ministry. The cap reflects average diesel prices over the previous month.
How the tariff is calculated
Each month the Ministry publishes a circular listing the maximum LBP per kWh nationwide, plus a small surcharge (commonly +10%) allowed in mountain and rural regions where diesel logistics are harder. Operators must post the tariff visibly at their generator site.
Reading your meter
Most subscribers now have a small digital meter installed on their main line. The reading is taken at the start and end of the month; the difference multiplied by the published tariff gives the variable charge.
Red flags
- No printed receipt showing the tariff applied.
- A "service charge" added on top of the fixed amperage fee.
- Tariff applied that is higher than the Ministry's current ceiling.
If you suspect overcharging, the consumer-protection hotline at the Ministry of Economy and Trade accepts complaints by phone and through its mobile application.
