A large solar energy project, the first of its kind in Palestine, was inaugurated on Wednesday to generate electricity for the industrial zone in the besieged Gaza Strip, officials said.
At the launching ceremony, Bashar al-Masri, chairman of Palestine Development and Investment Company Ltd., said the project has cost about 12 million U.S. dollars, and includes more than 21,000 solar cells, which are installed on the roofs of 32 industrial buildings, with a production capacity of 7.3 megawatts.
The project will provide electricity to all the factories, government offices, international institutions, and commercial establishments located in the industrial zone, he said.
"The project is important to boost the economy in the Gaza Strip ... especially at this crucial time to resolve the large deficit in the energy sector in the strip," al-Masri said.
The 480,000 square-meter industrial zone was established in eastern Gaza city, close to the borders with Israel, in 1996, which provides more than 2,500 job opportunities.
Editor: Leon
