A solar project, completed with support from UNIFIL’s Polish peacekeepers, was inaugurated in the south-western Lebanese village of Ayn Ibil last week. 

Installed with nearly $13,000 made available by Poland's international development agency, the Polish Aid, through UNIFIL, this photovoltaic solar power system was designed to ensure energy independence for the community where up to 4,500 people live during normal times.

The project includes the installation of solar panels, an inverter, and other necessary components to provide the village with a sustainable and renewable electricity source. The system will serve as a green alternative to the diesel-powered generators previously relied upon, contributing to a cleaner, more environmentally-friendly energy solution for the village. 

Although the installation was completed in September 2024, its official opening was delayed due to the escalation of violence in the area. 

Captain Jessica Doran, a civil-military cooperation officer with UNIFIL’s joint Irish-PolishBattalion, said, “With this solar power installation, Ayn Ibil now has a reliable and independent energy supply, ensuring continuous power to local homes, schools, and businesses. The initiative not only enhances the village’s energy security but also reduces its carbon footprint, helping to mitigate the environmental impact of diesel energy.”

Over the years, UNIFIL peacekeepers have supported local communities by installing solar systems in municipality buildings, public roads, water systems, schools, hospitals and Lebanese Army facilities. In 2024 alone, 35 such projects were implemented across south Lebanon.

In addition to helping local communities become more self-sustaining and green, UNIFIL promotes green initiatives in its positions and area of operation in south Lebanon. The mission adopted, in June 2021, its Energy Infrastructure Management Plan (EIMP) setting out a wide range of green initiatives in order to reduce the mission’s environmental footprint. Since then, the number of solar farms in UNIFIL posts across south Lebanon increased from 14 to 26, raising the mission’s reliance on the sun for energy needs from 1.3% to 5%.