Discussions on a gas pipeline that would spill political faults and deliver reliable energy to the poor Gaza Strip have shifted from abstraction to concrete in recent weeks, three officials familiar with the process said to Reuters.
For years the project was a distant vision due to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict – peace talks between the two sides broke out in 2014 and never started, amid mutual suspicion and outbreak. violence.
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Workers can be seen at Gaza’s single power plant, in the middle of the Gaza Strip
(Photo: Reuters)
But the interests of Israel, Palestine, Qatari and Europeans have been coming together in recent weeks with the goal of getting gas to Gaza in 2023, officials said.
The plan would see natural gas from a Chevron-operated deep-water Leviathan field in eastern Mediterranean flowing through a pipeline into Israel, and from there into Gaza through a new expansion suggested.
Under the settlement, which has not yet been finalized, the Israeli side of the proposed pipeline would be funded by Qatar and the division in Gaza would be paid for by the European Union, officials told Reuters.
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A photo taken by a drone shows Gaza ‘s single power plant, in the middle of the Gaza Strip
(Photo: Reuters)
If successful, the pipeline project would, for the first time in years, provide a stable energy source for the Gaza Strip, ending black movements that helped ease the blocked Palestinian circulation economy.
“We are talking about having 24 hours of electricity in Gaza, laying the foundations for major economic growth and contributing to peace and stability,” said Ariel Ezrahi, director of energy for the Quarterly Office. an organization that promotes peace efforts between Palestinians and Israelis who report to the United States, the United Nations, the European Union and Russia.
“Recent events have been a real breakthrough,” said Ezrahi, who has chaired the Dutch government-funded Gas for Gaza action group since 2015.
The Quarterly Office sees Palestinians initially purchase around 0.2 billion cubic meters (BCM) of gas per year, possibly rising to 1 BCM as the plant expands and other consumers grow. coming together.
The European Union pledged last week 5 million euros to fund Gaza’s portion of the pipeline, which will run around 4km and cost around 20 million euros.
Qatari ambassador to the Gaza Strip Mohammed Al-Emadi last week told Gaza-based news agency SAWA that his country would fund the Israeli section of the pipeline, which officials say will stretch around 45km and cost around 70 million euros.
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Leviathan gas field off the coast of Israel
(Photo: AFP)
Palestinian and Israeli officials told Reuters that Qatar is ready to pay for the pipeline in Israel. The Emadi office and the Qatar government press office did not answer Reuters questions.
Israel’s Leviathan field is already sending gas to nearby Jordan and Egypt.
Asked about the Gaza pipeline, Chevron said it was “looking forward to supporting Israel’s strategy to develop its energy resources for the benefit of the country and the region” but did not comment “on matters of a commercial nature”.
His main Israeli partner in Leviathan, Delek Drilling, declined to comment.
Gaza, home of two million Palestinians, is 360 sq. Km. km coastal cemetery between the Sinai peninsula of Egypt and Tel Aviv.
It has access to the outside world only through Israel, which controls 90% of its land and sea borders, and Egypt, which has a narrow southern land border.
Both countries have maintained a tight ban for years, citing security concerns over the Islamic militant group Hamas, which took control of Gaza in 2007.
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Palestinian security forces loyal to Hamas are standing at the intersection of Rafah with Egypt in the southern Gaza Strip
(Photo: AFP)
Today, Gaza’s only power station produces electricity for about 12 hours a day on diesel, more expensive fuel and pollution.
The pipeline allows the power station to double, perhaps rectangular, generation capacity. The Quartet office estimates that it will contribute more than $ 1 billion to Palestinian gross domestic product.
While a cheaper and more reliable power source could alleviate Gazans ’economic situation – thus improving sustainability in the region – few expect it to be a panacea.
In fact the power station at the end of the proposed pipeline has been politically vulnerable.
In 2006 he was bombed by Israel after Hamas troops from Gaza arrested an Israeli soldier in a cross-border attack.
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Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will attend a reception marking the 55th anniversary of the Fatah movement in the West Bank town of Ramallah
(Photo: AFP)
And over the past decade, there has been a bitter feud between Hamas and its main domestic rival, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, on both sides accusing each other of getting worse in power crisis.
The Abbas-backed Palestinian Authority will handle the final talks with the Israeli gas company, Palestinian officials said.
Palestinian Electricity Company (PEC) vice-chairman Walid Salman said he hoped an agreement could be reached in weeks – allowing electricity costs to fall by 60% and double generation to 140 megawatts at most .
He said they have been talking to Delek about a 5-year gas contract.
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Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz
(Photo: Avi Moalem)
In Israel, Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz said the project was being carried out “in full coordination with us.”
That includes the state’s defense establishment and Israeli National Gas Lines, which the Chief said plans for a 24-inch pipeline that can carry “large amounts of gas” are complete.
They are awaiting a final contract, possibly in the coming weeks, to begin construction.