Key Findings:
- NLR declined from late 2019 to early 2021 and accelerated after fuel subsidies were lifted in May 2021 because most of Lebanon heavily relies on diesel-powered electricity generators.
- NLR has declined in all qadas since late 2019, but qadas that receive electricity from hydroelectric power plants (Jezzine, Hasbaya, and Rachaya) declined at a slower rate than those outside of these service areas.
- NLR also declined at different rates depending on electricity provision from Syria, local political structures controlling electricity transmission, and remittance inflows.
- NLR can be a useful targeting indicator while state electricity remains minimal, although its effectiveness would diminish in general usability if electricity provision re-centralizes.
- Prospective NLR use in Lebanon is promising, as it can measure electricity consumption in less-developed areas and can be used as an indicator to monitor the effect of electricity-related development projects.
By Crisis Analytics Team, Mercy Corps Lebanon
