Evaluation of national energy action plan: The case of the Lebanese NEEAP (2011–2015)

The Energy Efficiency Directive EED [1] defines the EU energy saving target as a maximum primary energy consumption (in Million Tone oil equivalent, Mtoe), that can be monitored with statistical data. Different energy savings methods can be used if data needed to measure the energy saving in an accurate manner are available (econometric models, bottom up, top down based on indicators, etc.). As an alternative to measuring energy consumption, efficiency progress in the different sectors can be monitored by using energy efficiency indicators (e.g. Odyssee [2]). In Lebanon Odysee's indicators are available since year 2000 [3] (developed by the Lebanese Association for Energy Saving and for Environment, ALMEE, in the frame of the Energy Efficiency indicators database initiated by the Mediterranean Association of the National Agencies for Energy Conservation, MEDENER). The National Energy Efficiency Action Plan 2011-2015 (NEEAP) for Lebanon was approved by the Council of Ministers on 10 November 2010 [4]. This paper presents an evaluation of the Lebanese NEEAP. It concludes that its targets were not satisfactory achieved (18.6 GWh/year of energy saving achieved from 2087.6 GWh/year targeted). The first Lebanese NEEAP was not designed as a strategic document according to the requirement of the Energy Saving Directive [5]. This paper presents in concise manner what should be included in a “good” NEEAP to help in the preparation of the second NEEAP (2016-2020). The paper argues that new NEEAP (2016-2020) should define energy saving target as maximum primary energy consumption (Mtoe) able to detailed assessment (by independent evaluator) of the energy savings through top down or bottom up calculation methods and ALMEE/MEDENER Odyssee's indicators.