Jericho/PNN/ 

The Jerusalem Electricity Company, the Municipality of Jericho, and "3K" Company have signed an agreement to establish a one-megawatt solar power station in the city of Jericho. This project represents the second phase of the station's construction, following the previous establishment of a joint station with a capacity of one and a half megawatts.

The signing ceremony took place at the Jericho Municipality building in the presence of the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Jerusalem Electricity Company, Engineer Hisham Al-Omari, the General Manager, Mayor Abdul Karim Sader, and the Executive Director of "3K" Company, Ayman Al-Kalouti.

The project involves the construction of a one-megawatt solar power station in Hajla and Al-Zour areas in Jericho, in partnership with the municipality. The contract was awarded to "3K" Company, and the construction is funded by the Jerusalem Electricity Company.

The announcement of the solar power station in Jericho aims to assist the municipality in reducing its electricity bills and generating significant annual revenue, estimated at around half a million shekels.

Eng. Hisham Al-Omari, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Jerusalem Electricity Company, stated in an interview with PNN that this agreement holds great significance in terms of diversifying Palestinian electricity sources away from Israeli entities.

He added that this is the second agreement between the Jerusalem Electricity Company and the Municipality of Jericho. The first agreement was for a station with a capacity of one and a half megawatts, which is currently operational. Today, an agreement was signed with "3K" Company to further diversify the sources and purchase electricity at a lower price. As for the municipality, this will result in annual savings of approximately one million shekels. He emphasized that this amount is not insignificant.

Al-Omari expressed his hope that by the end of the year, the electricity company would be able to provide around 60 megawatts of solar energy. He noted that the areas witnessing significant development and urban projects, such as Jericho and the Jordan Valley, are facing challenges due to the limitations of the existing power lines. Therefore, developing solar energy projects is seen as a solution to meet current and future power demands.

The company responsible for implementing the project emphasized that this is not the first time they have collaborated with the Jerusalem Electricity Company and the Municipality of Jericho. They stressed that this agreement aims to produce and generate electricity from solar energy in Jericho, which will alleviate Palestinian burdens.

Ayman Al-Kalouti, the General Manager of Three k Solar Company, expressed his satisfaction with the signing of this agreement, highlighting its importance in reducing the burdens on the Jericho Electricity Company and decreasing dependency on Israeli imports.

Al-Kalouti explained that his company previously implemented the first solar energy project on the rooftop of the Jericho Municipality ten years ago, which was funded by the Jerusalem Electricity Company.

In turn, the Municipality of Jericho confirmed that the signing of this agreement is part of their efforts to integrate public and private sector institutions, aiming to liberate Palestinian life from Israeli control. Israel continues to seek control over all aspects of life in Palestine.

Abdul Karim Sader, the Mayor of Jericho, stated that the Jerusalem Electricity Company is a leading and national company that has made significant progress in its field. He emphasized the municipality's support for the company's efforts to disengage from Israeli influence.

He further stated that the municipality looks forward to further cooperation with other municipalities and the private sector. They are actively seeking new sources of income to enhance and improve services for the citizens through cooperative agreements. He also mentioned that a third agreement is expected to be signed in the coming weeks.