Energy in the State of Palestine
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The State of Palestine only produces 445 million kilowatt-hours of electricity, which meets 10 percent of their demand.[1] Palestinians do not produce oil or natural gas and are almost entirely dependent on the Israel Electric Corporation for electricity, which mainly comes in the form of electricity and petroleum products.[2][3] The only domestic source of energy they have is the Gaza Marine gas field, which has not yet been developed.[3]
Palestinians in fact do not consume any natural gas, even through imports. However, the potential for gas supplies to reach Palestine could potentially come from three different sources. The first being the unexploited Gaza Marine gas field. The second source would be from Egypt straight to Gaza, through Arab Gas pipeline, coming via El Arish, a city in Egypt. Lastly, the West Bank could begin to import gas from Egypt via Jordan.[3] Additionally, Israel has plans to supply Palestine with natural gas upon the commencement of their production of the Leviathan gas field in 2016.[4]
Palestinian energy demand had grown rapidly, increasing by 6.4% annually from 1999 to 2005.[3] Structurally, the Palestine does not have sufficient distribution companies or systems - a problem which leads to constraints on electricity efficiency.[3] The West Bank and Gaza receive and consume energy in different ways. Petroleum products are supplied because of agreements between the Palestinian Authority and Israel. The supply of petroleum is centrally located at one terminal on the border of the Gaza strip and two different terminals in the West Bank. These terminals have no capacity to keep petroleum and are therefore used daily. Electricity wise, the West Bank relies almost entirely on the Israel Electric Corporation, while the Gaza Strip receives their electricity from the Israel Electric Corporation, a diesel power plant located in the Gaza strip and Egypt.[3]
References
- ↑ "Palestinian Territories- Country Analysis Note." http://www.eia.gov/countries/country-data.cfm?fips=pt. U.S. Energy Information Administration, Mar. 2014. Web.
- ↑ Henderson, Simon. "Natural Gas in the Palestinian Authority: The Potential of the Gaza Marine Offshore Field." Journal of Health and Social Behavior 53.3 (2012): 296. Mar. 2014. Web.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 "West Bank and Gaza Energy Sector Review" Sustainable Development Department, United Nations. May, 2007.
- ↑ "Israel - Country Analysis Note." http://www.eia.gov/countries/country-data.cfm?fips=is. U.S. Energy Information Administration, Mar. 2014. Web
