In 2022, Palestinian Territories relied on net imports for about 87% of electricity consumption—more than five-sixths of the total. Domestic fossil-fuel generation supplied roughly 9%, while low-carbon generation provided just over 4%, entirely from solar. The generation mix behind imported electricity is not specified, so those imports cannot be classified as either clean or fossil-based using these figures.

Is Electricity Growing in Palestinian Territories?

Electricity consumption per person was essentially stagnant in 2022, slipping to 1,455 kWh from the previous record of 1,464 kWh in 2021—a decline of less than 1%. This lack of growth is concerning as electrification and emerging uses such as AI create additional electricity demand. Clean electricity generation, however, made encouraging progress: it reached 64 kWh per person, up from the previous record of 42 kWh in 2021, an increase of roughly half.

Suggestions

To increase low-carbon electricity generation, Palestinian Territories should prioritize expanding rooftop and larger-scale solar, supported by stronger electricity networks and storage. Nearby regions offer useful examples: solar supplies almost a third of electricity generation in Lebanon, nearly a quarter in Cyprus, and about 15% in Jordan. Nuclear should also be considered within long-term electricity planning, including opportunities for regional cooperation and clean electricity imports. The United Arab Emirates generates one-fifth of its electricity from nuclear, while France generates about two-thirds, demonstrating nuclear’s potential to supply substantial amounts of low-carbon electricity. Expanding solar alongside access to nuclear electricity could support growing demand while reducing reliance on fossil fuels and their climate and air-pollution impacts.

History

The supplied history shows solar growth arriving in modest steps. From 2015 through 2018, no year-to-year increase was recorded at the reported precision. Solar generation then increased by about 0.1 TWh in each of 2019 and 2020, before recording no increase in 2021. Growth resumed in 2022 with another gain of about 0.1 TWh. These advances are welcome, but the intervening periods of stagnation underline the importance of sustained investment to make clean electricity growth more consistent.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade