This new World Bank report focuses on the energy sector as an important sector for Palestinian development and economic growth. It lays out a vision of improved energy security in the Palestinian territories based on expanding and diversifying power supply and provides a sequenced road map of actions to improve the current situation of the energy sector so it can meet the requirements of the development of the related sectors.
Gaza already struggles to meet even basic electricity needs, while seasonal power shortages are emerging in the West Bank. With demand growing demand at 3.5 percent annually until 2030, failure to invest in the West Bank’s power sector would lead to deepening power shortages over time, and in Gaza, would make an already dire situation worse. Implementing a sound energy strategy could boost economic growth by 0.3 percentage points in the West Bank and 0.5 percentage point in Gaza.