"The yearly energy consumption represents 3% of the palestinian GDP"

What do the production and the energy consumption represent in the Palestinian economy? What is its cost?

The local production is 500Gwh yearly. The imported energy from neighboring countries(Israel, Jordan and Egypt) is 4200GWh/year and the yearly consumption represents 3% of the NGDP. The cost is 15USD/KWh

Does the Palestinian Authority have the means to take measures to save energy in Palestine? What does it represent in terms of financial gains?

In 2012, the Palestinian Authority Cabinet approved a strategy specific to energy efficiency: the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NEEAP). The Palestinian Energy Authority set an indicative target in energy efficiency and rationalizing electric energy consumption by end user that aims at achieving 5% saving in overall electricity demand by 2020.

The national targets are ambitious, but achievable if the target is expanded to include all energy types. Energy efficiency is important for all fuel types, so it makes sense to target whichever energy efficiency actions are most efficient at a facility, frequently in several energy types. A major effort will be necessary to promote widespread adoption of energy efficiency measures quickly. It is important to emphasize that the energy savings would also save money, providing a significant return on the investment in energy efficiency actions. By 2017 –end of phase II- and depending on the available fund from AFD/FGEF 97% of the NEEAP target will be accomplished and credited to the EEU FGEF project.

panels photovoltaix Jericho (screen capture Al Quds TV)

Have you an energy development plan, in particular in the solar energy?

Sure, first of all we have a national energy strategy prepared in 2011 .This strategy has been defining the vision for the sector, the main goals to fulfill this vision and also all policy interventions needed to implement these goals. It also includes the intensive energy sector institutional reform .

Based on this strategy the Palestinian energy authority conducted many detailed studies through local and international consultants related to the assessment of the renwable energy resources in Palestine in order to promote the RES technology mainly in electricity generation. Based on these studies the Palestinian Energy Authority (PEA) had prepared the national RE strategy with the target stated that at least 10% of our local electricity needs by 2020 should be achieved from RES.

Do any countries give you assistance and technical support ?

Really, the World Bank had covered the costs of the assessment studies. Japan Government financed the construction of the first on grid 320KWp PV solar Plant in Jericho.we also got some donations from the cheqe republic for implementing small size PV installations (from 10-120KW) for producing electricity to operate small public buildings and operating small water pumps used in irregations.

The government is financing now the cost of implementation of the Palestinian solar Initiative (PSI) in the form of subsidies. The PSI includes installing 1000 roof top 2-5KWp installations.