Comprehensive solar plan

Chamber and partners will tackle economic,
legal, and organizational aspects

The Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture of Beirut & Mount Lebanon (CCIABML) launched the Strategic Hub for the Analysis and Acceleration of the Mediterranean Solar Energy (SHAAMS). The project will seek to unify the approach to solar energy covering the necessary legal, regulatory, economic, and organizational foundations.

The Chamber partnered with the Business Incubation Association in Tripoli (BIAT) and Berytech, along with 11 international partners that include business associations, environmental agencies, universities and research institutes from Egypt, France, Greece, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon, and Spain.

SHAAMS is implemented under the Cross-Border Collaboration in Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme by the European Neighborhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI) and funded by the European Union (EU).

The chamber seeks to enhance collaboration between international partners and local energy companies and businesses. Aline Farajian, Project Manager at the Chamber, said: “We are interested in promoting thermal and photovoltaic energy in the market. Entrepreneurs can achieve many cost-saving benefits by resorting to solar energy in future industries, resorts, and irrigation systems.”

The BIAT will help draft new laws and policies related to solar energy. General Manager Fawaz Hamidi said the BIAT will also support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in implementing international standards and adopting solar technology in their operations.

Berytech, which supports technological innovation across different sectors, will participate in this project “We will create a $30 million fund to encourage investment in technology among local companies. 15 percent of the fund will be dedicated to solar energy applications,” said Nicolas Rouhana, Executive Director at Berytech.