ReliefWeb

Gaza- 15 April 2019 – The Ambassador for the Palestinian Affairs & Representative of Japan to Palestine H.E. Mr. Takeshi OKUBO, and the Director of the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) in Jerusalem, Mr. Tokumitsu Kobayashi met today in Gaza to celebrate the completion and handover of the project titled “Reconstructing and strengthening the electricity supply system in Gaza with renewable energy“funded by the Government of Japan through its supplementary budget.

The handover was held in Gaza city, in the presence of the Acting Deputy Minister of Ministry of Public works and housing (MoPWH) in the Southern governance of Gaza Eng. Naji Srehan, and the Director of the Palestinian Energy & National Resources Authority (PENRA), Eng. Hussein AlNabih as well as some beneficiaries.

The project valued at $1.5 million, supported the installation of solar photovoltaic systems aiming to create reliable and sustainable access to an electricity source for 188 households (Approximately 1,160 residents) in eight various municipalities of Gaza.

In coordination with the MoPWH, the beneficiaries of this project were selected to be among the most vulnerable affected population assessed through a clear and transparent vulnerability matrix, with a particular focus on women, as well as elderly headed-households and people living with disabilities.

In support of the Palestine Authority’s National Energy Efficiency Action Plan that aims to achieve 10% of domestic electricity generation to come from renewable energy by 2020; UNOPS installed a PV system for each beneficiary is an On-Grid Hybrid system with a capacity of 2.4KWH. Each system consists of 10 PV Modules 320WP, 8 Batteries Bank 12V 200Ah, 3kw Hybrid Inverter and all the necessary cables and connections. In addition to installing the PV system, each beneficiary received five LED light bulbs (220 V -10 W), and two LED light bulb (220 V - 5 W).

On this occasion, H.E. Ambassador Takeshi Okubo expressed his deep gratitude to UNOPS for their efforts in completing this vital project. “According to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of the family, and I believe this would not be possible without reliable access to an energy source such as electricity,” he stated. “Despite the enormously difficult political and economic situation facing the region, it is important not to lose hope and to work together for a better future, like Japan went through the hard times brought by the catastrophic earthquake and Tsunami in 2011. Therefore, Japan provided an additional grant of US$ 1.5 million to UNOPS through the supplementary budget with the aim of providing a secured power supply for 188 of the most vulnerable and affected households owners in Gaza based on agreed selection criteria. Japan is committed to extending humanitarian aid to Gaza as a friend in need.” he added.

Likewise, UNOPS director Mr Tokumitsu Kobayashi highlighted the importance of leading the way to implement sustainable solutions in line with Palestinian technical specifications and contribute to enriching Gaza renewable initiatives.

UNOPS’ Jerusalem Office has been working in Gaza with government partners and UN agencies since 2014 to respond to residents’ needs and the humanitarian crisis focusing on the longer-term impact.

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For more information, please contact:
Ms. Fidaa MAAYTAH
UNOPS Jerusalem Office Communications Assistant
Mobile: +972 (0) 54 324 9322
Office: +972 (0)2 628 1881
E-mail: fidama@unops.org

For more information about UNOPS, please visit our website: www.unops.org

Mr Nezar MAROUF
Representative Office of Japan to Palestine
Abraj House 8th Floor, 15 Tokyo Street, Al-Masyoun, Ramallah
Tel. 02-2983370 - 1| Fax:02-2983313|

For more information about the GoJ office in Palestine, please visit our website:| www.ps.emb-japan.go.jp|