In light of the agreement signed on September 13, 2016, between the State of Palestine and Israel concerning purchase of electricity, the Coalition for Integrity and Accountability-AMAN sent a letter to the Prime Minister (PM), Dr. Rami Hamdallah, calling on him to publish the terms of the Agreement. AMAN also requested that the PM clarify the positive impact this agreement has on controlling electricity bills, issued by the Israeli side, as well as arrangements of supplying the Palestinians with needed electricity, hence minimizing waste of public funds through what is called “net lending”.
In its letter, AMAN pointed to the current situation of the electricity sector in Palestine where the Palestinian electricity distribution networks, whose source is Israel Electric Corporation, provide the majority of electricity needs (97%) for clients from the various social classes of society in the West Bank. The bill for this electricity amounts to nearly one billion dollars annually.
In this regard, the 2009 Law by Decision No. 13 stipulates the establishment of the National Transport Company to be completely owned by the Palestinian National Authority. The company role is embodied in the transfer of electricity from generating companies to distribution companies and consumers. It also includes purchasing electricity from different sources and selling it to distribution companies and consumers.
Moreover, AMAN presented several questions in its letter which included: the scope of coverage of the National Transport Company; the future role of the civil administration in the management of this sector; methods of calculating the price of electricity purchased from the Israeli supplier, and criteria adopted.
AMAN concluded its letter by emphasizing the right of citizens to obtain details of the Agreement, and ensure that it achieves Palestinian liberation and sovereignty over the electric power sector, and controls the electricity bill hence reducing waste of public funds in this regard.
