Electricity in Palestinian Territories in 2022
In 2022, the Palestinian Territories saw more than 85% of their electricity consumption met through net imports, highlighting a significant dependency on external energy sources. Fossil fuels accounted for almost 9% of their electricity generation, which indicates a limited contribution from fossil-based generation but nonetheless highlights a dependency on carbon-intensive methods. On the bright side, low-carbon electricity, derived entirely from solar power, formed around 4% of the energy mix. This inclusion of solar is a step towards embracing cleaner energy sources, which are crucial for both sustainability and reducing reliance on imports and fossil fuels that contribute to climate change and air pollution.
Is Electricity Growing in Palestinian Territories?
Examining the growth in electricity consumption within the Palestinian Territories, there was a slight decrease in overall per capita electricity consumption between 2021 and 2022, dropping from 1464 kWh/person to 1455 kWh/person. This decline of 9 kWh/person suggests a slight contraction, which could be concerning given the growing global demand for electricity due to electrification and technological advancements. However, a positive note is the increase in low-carbon electricity generation per person, which rose from 42 kWh/person in 2021 to 64 kWh/person in 2022. This 22 kWh/person rise demonstrates promising progress in the move towards more sustainable electricity sourcing, despite the overall stagnation in consumption growth.
Suggestions
To further increase low-carbon electricity generation, the Palestinian Territories might draw inspiration from countries that have successfully expanded their solar power capabilities, much like Lebanon, which generates 31% of its electricity from solar energy. Considerable lessons could also be learned from countries outside the region with robust clean energy records, such as Chile and its 22% contribution from solar, demonstrating the potential for solar energy even in less solar-endowed regions. By setting ambitious goals and investing in solar infrastructure, alongside education and policy support for solar power initiatives, Palestinians can cultivate a more sustainable and autonomous energy landscape.
History
In the journey of adopting low-carbon energy, the Palestinian Territories have only ventured into solar electricity generation in the last decade. From 2015 to 2018, generation remained static with no recorded additional increases. A slight increase was marked in 2019 and 2020, with an additional 0.1 TWh generated each year, indicating the start of a positive trend. After reverting back to no increase in 2021, another 0.1 TWh was added in 2022. These fledgling steps suggest that while progress has been uneven, the momentum is building, providing a foundation upon which future clean energy initiatives can expand, especially in solar energy, which remains one of the most promising avenues for achieving energy independence and sustainability.