60 percent of solar energy projects in Palestine implemented in the last two years
Ramallah, September 7 (Hibya) - The Palestinian Energy and Natural Resources Authority (PENRA) announced that 85 solar power plants have been licensed over the past two years, bringing the projects' total capacity to 126 megawatts.
PENRA continues its efforts to increase renewable energy production and develop electricity infrastructure as part of the 2025-2027 Energy Security Plan.
According to a report by the official Palestinian news agency WAFA, approximately 60 percent of solar energy projects have been implemented over the past two years during the government's 19th term.
According to a report based on PENRA data, 85 solar power plants with a total capacity of 126 megawatts have been licensed. The plants are expected to serve around 40,000 households. It was also stated that most of the plants are equipped with energy storage systems.
PENRA has also launched the first phase of the "Shamsi Palestine" program. Under the program, 10 municipalities have been enabled to establish and operate their own solar power plants, with the projects targeted to have sufficient capacity to meet the energy needs of around 3,500 households. The program is planned to cover 80 municipalities by 2030.
Preparations are also continuing for the construction of a solar power plant in the Rammun and Deir Dibwan areas with a capacity of 20 megawatts and an energy storage capacity of 55 megawatt-hours. The project is expected to meet the energy needs of around 6,300 households and facilities.
In the education and health sectors, the installation of solar energy systems at an additional 80 schools has also begun, while more than 800 schools had previously been equipped with clean energy systems. Solar energy systems have also been installed at 6 hospitals, while work is continuing to provide solar energy and storage systems to 13 public hospitals and 23 clinics.
PENRA was reported to have financed the installation of large-scale battery energy storage systems with a total capacity of 35 megawatt-hours for the Tubas District Electricity Company and Tulkarm Municipality.
The electricity crisis in Tulkarm Governorate, which had continued since 2013, was reported to have been resolved with the addition of a third electricity supply line with a capacity of approximately 10 megawatts. This increased the region's available electricity capacity to around 50 megawatts.
PENRA has also begun construction of an electricity transmission line between Tubas and Nablus. The project, called the "Green Corridor," is intended to help feed surplus electricity generated by solar power plants into the grid.
Five main substations have been designed in Atara, Jericho, Al-Za'im, Tulkarm and Hebron, while work is underway to expand and rehabilitate medium-voltage networks in various areas.
A total of 146,000 smart meters have been provided to electricity distribution companies to reduce losses and regulate consumption, while the 265-megawatt Jenin Power Plant project is also continuing. Once completed, the project is expected to meet approximately 25 percent of the West Bank's electricity needs.
PENRA was also reported to have prepared technical plans for the reconstruction of the electricity sector in priority areas of the Gaza Strip.
The authority has procured $29 million worth of electrical equipment to restore electricity supplies to vital facilities, while efforts are continuing to deliver the equipment to Gaza.
The government is also seeking to mobilize international financing and grant resources for renewable energy projects and the modernization of electricity grids.
The Energy Security Plan aims to increase the share of renewable energy sources in Palestine's energy mix to approximately 30 percent by 2030.
The government is also working on institutional and legal arrangements, including restructuring debts in the electricity sector, establishing a new electricity tariff methodology based on the cost of service, and preparing a draft unified energy law covering electricity, renewable energy, energy efficiency and hydrocarbons.
Europe Asia News