Egypt to rebuild Gaza plant

Egypt signed in late August an agreement with the Palestinian Energy & Natural Resources Authority for restoration of the substation serving the Gaza independent power plant.

Under the deal, four 66/11-kV transformers and three 66/22-kV transformers will be installed to replace those destroyed by the recent Israeli air strikes. Egyptian German Electrical Manufacturing Company (Egemac) has been awarded the contract for the supply of transformers and the carrying out of repairs. Work is targeted to be completed by December. Stockholm is studying the possibility of financing the project. The agreement also covers the supply of electricity from the Egyptian 22-kV network. The supply will be from Rafah on the Egyptian side of the border. A wider plan to connect Gaza to the seven-way Arab electricity grid in El-Arish is contingent on the resolution of the political situation (MEED 28:7:06).

Also in late August, Jordans National Electric Power Company (Nepco) signed an agreement with Jerusalem District Electricity Company (Jedco) to supply Jericho with power. A 33-kV, 30-kilometre double-circuit overhead transmission line will connect the 132/33-kV Sweimeh substation with the existing power lines operated by Jedco. Three additional fuel cells will also be installed at Sweimeh. The transmission line will later connect Sweimeh to a planned sea-level plant in Jericho.

The second stage of the project will involve the expansion of Sweimeh power plant through the installation of a new 132/33-kV transformer. The first stage of the project is due to be completed in mid-2007 with phase 2 expected to end in August 2008. Oslo may provide funding to cover the Palestinian share of the estimated JD 5 million ($7 million) job.