In 2022, electricity consumption in the Palestinian Territories depended overwhelmingly on net imports, which supplied about 87% of the total. Domestic fossil generation supplied around 9%, while low-carbon generation contributed just over 4%, entirely from solar. Imports’ generation mix is not specified, so their contribution cannot be classified as either clean or fossil electricity from these data alone. Expanding local clean electricity would help diversify this highly import-dependent supply.

Is Electricity Growing in Palestinian Territories?

Electricity consumption per person was essentially stagnant in 2022, slipping to 1,455 kWh from the previous record of 1,464 kWh in 2021—a decline of 9 kWh, or less than 1%. This lack of growth is concerning as electrification and new uses increase the need for electricity. Low-carbon generation, however, made encouraging progress: it reached a record 64 kWh per person, up from 42 kWh in 2021. That increase of 22 kWh per person represents growth of more than half, although the clean electricity contribution remains small.

Suggestions

Solar offers a clear opportunity to increase local low-carbon electricity generation through rooftop installations, larger projects where suitable, and investment in storage and grid infrastructure. Nearby places provide useful examples: solar supplies almost a third of electricity generation in Lebanon, nearly a quarter in Cyprus, and 15% in Jordan. Wind could complement solar where local resource assessments identify suitable sites, drawing lessons from Morocco, where wind supplies a fifth of electricity generation. Nuclear should also be considered in long-term electricity planning, including regional cooperation and access to nuclear-generated electricity: the United Arab Emirates generates a fifth of its electricity from nuclear, while France generates about two-thirds. These examples show how solar, wind and nuclear can support a larger, cleaner electricity supply and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, with their climate and air-pollution impacts.

History

The recorded history of low-carbon electricity in the Palestinian Territories is a short story of solar growth. From 2015 through 2018, the data show no year-on-year change in solar generation. Growth then accelerated, with additions of about 0.1 TWh in both 2019 and 2020. After another year with no recorded increase in 2021, solar generation rose by about 0.1 TWh in 2022. These gains are encouraging, but the interruptions underline the importance of sustained investment to turn occasional increases into steady growth in clean electricity.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade