Ibrahim Abu Lughod Institute organizes a lecture on “Electricity in Palestine”

On 16 June 2011, the Institute of Ibrahim Abu-Lughod organized a lecture on: "The electricity sector in the Palestinian territories: a priority for development and peace?", delivered by the  researcher at the University Center for Energy Problems - Geneva University , Ayman Abu al-Khair.

Mr. Abu al-khair overviewed the current situation of the energy sector in Palestine, describing the problems, most importantly: high prices of power units, lack of use of renewable energy, in addition to Israeli control over the supply of conventional energy, since the Israeli Electricity Company monopolizes the electricity sector, leading to a rise in electricity prices, and shortage of power supply.

He addressed the instability of political circumstances and its impact on the electricity demand, since it affects the consumption of electricity in two ways: first, the slowdown in consumption of electricity for the economy as a whole Secondly, it leads to a sharp drop in electricity consumption by economic activities, reducing purchases of energy during the turbulent period to less than average.

He added: "The electricity sector in Palestine is fragile and highly vulnerable to political shocks, and until the Palestinian infrastructure is developed, especially the electricity sector, being one of the factors of economic production and progress, it is necessary to provide a suitable environment for establishing peace in the region, and should also study the possibility of establishing independent power plants (IPP) in the Palestinian territories along with other options such as importing  electricity and the possibility to access renewable energy sources. "