Gaza Sole Power Station Shut Down Due to Lack of Funds

Gaza’s sole power plant runs out of fuel.

Gaza, 20 Rajab 1438/17 April 2017 (MINA) – The sole power plant in Gaza Strip was shut down on Sunday due to lack of funds needed to buy fuel.

Hamas authority in Gaza blamed Ramallah-based government for the shutdown of the plant, KUNA reported, citing a statement.

“The plant was closed over the insistence of the Ramallah government to impose taxes, a move that tripled the fuel prices and prevented us from buying it,” a statement by energy sector in Gaza said.

For years, the Gaza Strip and its roughly two million inhabitants have groaned under a chronic lack of power.

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The blockaded territory requires around 400 megawatts of power per day, but is receiving around half of that.

Earlier this year, Turkey provided Gaza with 15 tons of fuel to operate the strip’s power plant, while Qatar paid USD 12 million for buying fuel for the station.

Since 2007, Gaza Strip has reeled under a crippling Israeli embargo that has deprived the coastal enclave’s two million population of basic commodities, including food, fuel and medicine. ( T/RS5/RS1)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)