Anera and Ain Ebel Municipality Launch Pioneering Solar Energy Project in South Lebanon
Ain Ebel, South Lebanon — October 30, 2025 — Anera and the Municipality of Ain Ebel have launched a groundbreaking solar energy project designed to provide clean, affordable, and reliable power to the community. This initiative marks Anera’s first-ever project utilizing a reimbursable grant modality, setting a new model for sustainable, community-driven energy development in Lebanon.
The solar installation will directly benefit approximately 200 households (around 1,000 residents) and indirectly support an additional 640 households (around 3,200 residents).
Once operational, the system is expected to generate significant reduction in the overall cost per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for all Ain Ebel residents. On the municipal level, the project is projected to yield average savings of 20% in the first year, rising to 50% after the repayment period is completed. These savings will be reinvested in system maintenance and future local development projects, ensuring a self-sustaining energy model for Ain Ebel.
“This partnership demonstrates how communities and NGOs can work hand in hand to build lasting solutions,” said Samar el Yassir, Country Director at Anera in Lebanon and Jordan. “Through this 0% interest reimbursable grant and shared cost mechanism, the municipality and its residents can afford the initial investment and pay it back using the money saved on energy costs.”
The project’s reimbursable grant is structured to ensure long-term sustainability: funds repaid by the municipality will be channeled into a revolving fund, enabling Anera to replicate similar solar energy initiatives in other Lebanese communities facing chronic power shortages.
Ain Ebel, a town in southern Lebanon, near the border, was heavily targeted during the last war but continues to demonstrate resilience and forward thinking. With Lebanon’s prolonged economic crisis and the ongoing conflict that has deterred investment in energy infrastructure, this project represents a crucial step forward.
The new solar system will empower households, provide broader community electricity access, and will directly support the municipality by powering essential services like water pumping for returning and existing residents.
“This collaboration with Anera marks a milestone for Ain Ebel and its people,” said Ayoub Khreish, Mayor of Ain Ebel Municipality. “Together, we are turning resilience into action and transforming sunlight into a source of stability, savings, and hope. This project will not only power our homes, but also strengthen our community’s confidence in a sustainable future.”
This initiative represents a strategic milestone for Anera. By introducing a cost-sharing and reinvestment-based approach, the organization is pioneering a scalable model that maximizes donor impact while ensuring long-term project viability.
Through this collaboration, Ain Ebel serves as a symbol of resilience and innovation, demonstrating that even in times of crisis and recovery, communities can work together to create a sustainable future.