GIZ REEE Planning Services
Launched in August 2025, the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (REEE) Planning Services project was a collaboration between FREE energy, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), and local municipalities in Lebanon. GIZ, a German development agency with global expertise in sustainable development, partnered with FREE energy to deliver community-level studies aimed at promoting energy efficiency, renewable energy integration, and long-term sustainability.
The project involved conducting detailed energy assessments and feasibility studies across multiple municipalities, with the dual objective of reducing energy costs and enhancing community services. A representative example is the study carried out in Hawsh ElHarimi, Western Beqaa. The village’s street lighting network was assessed, revealing that nearly 80% of fixtures were non-operational and the system consumed an estimated 128,816 kWh per year if fully functional.
FREE energy proposed replacing all conventional fixtures with standalone solar-powered LED streetlights. This Energy Conservation Measure (ECM) was designed to ensure reliable night-long illumination, cut operating costs by approximately $34,780 per year, and deliver annual savings of 128,816 kWh. Financial analysis showed a payback period of 7.2 years, confirming the solution’s viability.
In addition to solar-powered streetlighting, the project also covered other scopes such as the design of solar PV systems and hybrid renewable energy solutions for community service facilities. Beyond the technical and financial benefits, these interventions carry significant environmental and social value. By reducing reliance on grid electricity and diesel backup systems, the project lowers greenhouse gas emissions while providing safer roads, improved public spaces, and reduced maintenance burdens for municipalities.
Other municipalities included in the initiative were Chouf-Baakline, Saghbine, Temnine El Fawqa, Machghara, Brital, and Talya, each benefitting from tailored renewable energy and efficiency measures suited to their local context.
