January%2028,%202009

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January 28, 2009
The Collapse of Gaza's Electricity System
Well-Planned and Foretold in Advance
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1998 A new power station, privately owned, is
established in the Gaza Strip.

• 1967
• The Israel Electric Company receives a
  concession to supply electricity to the West Bank
  and Gaza Strip.
• 2006
• Revenues of the Israel Electric Company from
  electricity sold to the West Bank and Gaza Strip
  266 million (US)

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10 permanent deficit (23 MW)
The Gaza Strip requires 240 MW electricity.
50 Israel (120 MW)
33 Gaza Power Plant (80 MW)
7 Egypt (17 MW)
Production capacity of the Gaza Power Plant
during optimal current conditions, in which
sufficient amounts of industrial diesel are
available, and taking into account partial repair
of the turbines bombed by Israel in June 2006.
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Gaza's Power Plant has three turbines that run on
industrial diesel.
The industrial diesel is paid for by the European
Union, and it can be used only for running the
turbines in the power plant.
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Even after the "disengagement", Israel continues
to control the flow of fuel and goods into Gaza.
No passage by sea.
Industrial diesel supply is permitted through
Nahal Oz.
No passage by air.
No passage through Rafah Crossing.
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1999-2006 The Power Plant produces 118 MW, half
of Gaza's consumption needs.
June 2006 The Power Plant is bombed by Israel,
and its production capacity is reduced to 43.
After a year and a half of partial repair,
potential production capacity rises to 80 MW.
October 2007 Israel decides to restrict the
amount of industrial diesel permitted to reach
Gaza, limiting production to no more than 65 MW.
November 5, 2008 Israel closes the crossings to
the Gaza Strip, including the crossing for
industrial diesel. Within 8 days, the Power Plant
shuts down.
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Industrial Diesel Supply to Gaza's Power Station
Nov. 2008 - Jan. 2009
Amount needed to operate station at current
capacity
Amount ordered by Israeli Supreme Court
Amount permitted in fact
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November 5, 2008 - December 26, 2008 (before
military operation)Power Plant closed for 29
days.December 27, 2008 January 17, 2009
(during military operation)Power Plant closed
for 12 days.
The Result
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• As of January 27, 2009
• Power plant can produce just 60 MW out
  of a production capacity of 80 MW.

Maximum potential supply of electricity to Gaza
residents - 82 of the need
Deficit of 18 (43 MW)
50 Israel (120 MW)
25 Gaza Power Plant (60 MW)
7 Egypt (17 MW)
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• Much of the electricity supply cannot reach
  consumers at all, because of tremendous damage to
  the infrastructure during the military operation.

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• Damage to the electricity infrastructure is
  estimated at
• 10,412,500 (U.S.)

• Israel is preventing the entrance of spare
  parts for the electricity and water systems.
• 38 transformers have been stuck in warehouses
  on the Israeli side for the past four months.
• Israel continues to block entrance of building
  materials needed to repair infrastructure.

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The Result

• 20 of Gaza residents are still cut off from
  electricity supply because of damage to secondary
  lines.

80 of Gaza residents experience power outages of
16-18 hours per day, on average.
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Implications for the Water and Sewage System

• 200,000-250,000 Gaza residents are cut off from
  access to running water.
• The rest of Gaza residents receive water for 6-8
  hours every 2-5 days.
• Of three wastewater treatment stations, just one
  is working.
• 9 sewage pumps are working partially or not at
  all, causing sewage to spill into the sea.

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Gisha calls on the Government of Israel

• To remove restrictions on the supply of fuel to
  the Gaza Strip.
• To permit passage of all the spare parts needed
  to repair the electricity, water, and sewage
  systems.
• To increase the volume of goods permitted to
  enter the Gaza Strip, including construction
  materials necessary to repair the infrastructure
  and buildings damaged during the military
  operation.

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Thank you

• To the Gaza Electricity Distribution Company
  (GEDCO) for significant assistance in preparing
  this presentation.
• To the Gaza Power Plant and the Coastal
  Municipalities Water Utility (CMWU) for providing
  information and data.
• To the United Nation Office for Coordination of
  Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) for permission to use
  the map of Gaza that appears in this
  presentation.
• The content and views expressed in this
  presentation are the sole responsibility of
  Gisha-Legal Center for Freedom of Movement.

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