Energy Minister Arthur Nazarian declared Friday that the Zouk power plant constitutes an essential strategic facility, stressing the need to develop and improve its situation in order to best serve the residents of the Keserwan district.
In a press conference, Nazarian said that, in accordance with its national responsibilities, the Energy Ministry managed to treat the power plant’s gas emissions, reducing the pollution by at least 80%.
In this context, he stressed that his ministry and Electricite du Liban (EDL) have been assuming their responsibilities in this regard, noting that several projects have been pending decisions to be made by the cabinet and the Parliament.
For his part, Electricite du Liban's Chairman Kamal Hayek explained that the Zouk power plant was not established in a residential area, but in an industrial land, adding that the company has been working for five years in a bid to handle the pollution caused by the plant.
“We are looking into amending the characteristics of the fuel oil used,” he pointed out, noting that the only solution for the black smoke and toxic fumes emanating from the plant is through the overall rehabilitation of the facility.
However, he revealed that the old power station is operating without a license, stressing that the company has been working on obtaining a license in accordance without the law.
On the issue of the pollution, he noted that vehicles’ emissions are also major contributors to air pollution, due to the heavy traffic witnessed between Nahr al-Kalb region and Jounieh on a daily basis.