The Palestinian Energy Authority (PEA) has signed an agreement with a Palestinian American renewable energy company to provide 30MW of solar power in Gaza, according to local reports.
Reports on a press conference show that PEA spokesman Ahmed Abul-Omrein said an agreement was signed on 16 April with US-based “Samaha company” [sic], which is owned by a Palestinian businessman.
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Abul-Omrein added that the project is expected to be finalized within nine months. Equipment for the project would be brought into the blockaded area during the first three months.
He said: “The project will be carried out on land that used to be part of a Jewish settlement before the Israeli withdrawal [from the Gaza Strip] in 2005.”
Gaza suffers from frequent power shortages with up to 12 hours of electricity outages, according to the ‘Initiative for the Palestinian Economy, Energy’ from the Office of the Quartet Representative, Tony Blair.
Gaza typically requires 210MW, sourced from one power plant and imports from Israel and Egypt, but it requires 410MW annually.
The report forecasts that Gaza will need 855MW by 2020.
The report also recommends investing in solar power as part of a wider energy plan for the region.
