TY  - JOUR
T1  - Potential, Current Status, and Renewable Energy in Energy Sector of Palestine: A Review
TT  - Potential, Current Status, and Renewable Energy in Energy Sector of Palestine: A Review
AU  - Hattab, Tala
PY  - 2025
DA  - December
Y2  - 2025
DO  - 10.29002/asujse.1711838
JF  - Aksaray University Journal of Science and Engineering
JO  - Aksaray J. Sci. Eng.
PB  - Aksaray University
WT  - DergiPark
SN  - 2587-1277
SP  - 63
EP  - 77
VL  - 9
IS  - 2
LA  - en
AB  - Palestine faces a critical energy challenge marked by over 94% dependence on imported electricity and fuels alongside rapid demand growth and territorial restrictions. This review synthesizes 50 academic, policy, and institutional sources (2015–2025) on renewable energy (RE) in Palestine, with focus on solar, wind, and biogas. Despite policy frameworks such as Law No. 14/2015, installed PV capacity reached only ~199 MW by 2023, contributing less than 2% of total primary energy, while grid losses remain ~22–24%. A structured synthesis links technical, regulatory, financial, and land-use constraints into an integrated policy map. Comparative benchmarking with Jordan and Morocco highlights transferable mechanisms (open grid access, competitive tenders, PPAs) that could accelerate adoption. The study concludes with policy-ready recommendations: grid modernization, concessional financing, streamlined permitting, and public engagement to support a coherent RE transition toward 2030 and beyond.
KW  - Energy security
KW  - Grid integration
KW  - Palestine
KW  - Renewable energy policy
KW  - Solar photovoltaic (PV)
N2  - Palestine faces a critical energy challenge marked by over 94% dependence on imported electricity and fuels alongside rapid demand growth and territorial restrictions. This review synthesizes 50 academic, policy, and institutional sources (2015–2025) on renewable energy (RE) in Palestine, with focus on solar, wind, and biogas. Despite policy frameworks such as Law No. 14/2015, installed PV capacity reached only ~199 MW by 2023, contributing less than 2% of total primary energy, while grid losses remain ~22–24%. A structured synthesis links technical, regulatory, financial, and land-use constraints into an integrated policy map. Comparative benchmarking with Jordan and Morocco highlights transferable mechanisms (open grid access, competitive tenders, PPAs) that could accelerate adoption. The study concludes with policy-ready recommendations: grid modernization, concessional financing, streamlined permitting, and public engagement to support a coherent RE transition toward 2030 and beyond.
CR  - [1] Ember. (2024). World passes 30% renewable electricity milestone. Retrieved from: https://ember-energy.org/latest-updates/world-passes-30-renewable-electricity-milestone/
CR  - [2] International Energy Agency. (2023). World energy outlook 2023. Paris, France: IEA. Retrieved from: https://www.iea.org/reports/world-energy-outlook-2023
CR  - [3] World Bank. (2008). West Bank and Gaza energy sector review. Washington, DC: World Bank. Retrieved from: https://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/731521468137110533/pdf/396950GZ0Energ1white0cover01PUBLIC1.pdf
CR  - [4] Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics. (2025). Energy statistics portal. Retrieved from: https://www.pcbs.gov.ps/site/lang__ar/886/Default.aspx
CR  - [5] Medener, Rcreee. (2020). Country report on energy efficiency and renewable energy investment climate – Palestinian territories. Brussels/Cairo: Authors. Retrieved from: https://south.euneighbours.eu/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/A31_PalestineClimate_FINAL-3.pdf
CR  - [6] Ersoy, S.R., Terrapon-Pfaff, J., Brik, I. (2022). Sustainable transformation of the energy system in Palestine. Ramallah: Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung. Retrieved from: https://library.fes.de/pdf-files/bueros/fespal/19430-20230313.pdf
CR  - [7] Palestine Portal. (2023). Maps: Area C / Jordan Valley. Retrieved from: https://www.palestineportal.org/learn-teach/israelpalestine-the-basics/maps/maps-area-cjordan-valley/
CR  - [8] Abboushi, N., Alsamamra, H. (2021). Achievements and barriers of renewable energy in Palestine. Renewable Energy, 177, 369–386. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2021.05.114
CR  - [9] Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics. (2018). Energy balance of Palestine in physical units 2018. Retrieved from: https://www.pcbs.gov.ps/Portals/_Rainbow/Documents/Energybalance-PHY-E2018.html
CR  - [10] Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics. (2022). Energy consumption by month and year in 2022. Retrieved from: https://www.pcbs.gov.ps/Portals/_Rainbow/Documents/Energy_imports%202022_A.htm
CR  - [11] Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics. (2024). Energy statistics in Palestine 2023. Retrieved from: https://www.pcbs.gov.ps/site/881/default.aspx
CR  - [12] Palestine Economic Policy Research Institute (MAS). (2019). The energy sector in Palestine: Challenges and opportunities. Ramallah: MAS.
CR  - [13] Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. (2023). Development co-operation profiles: Palestine. Paris, France: OECD. Retrieved from: https://www.oecd.org/development
CR  - [14] Pengon – Friends of the Earth Palestine. (2016). Pre-master plan: Solar energy production in Palestine – Opportunities and challenges. Retrieved from: https://www.pengon.org/writable/uploads/articles/4.pdf
CR  - [15] This Week in Palestine. (2022). The case for scaling up solar power in Palestine. Retrieved from: https://thisweekinpalestine.com/the-case-for-scaling-up-solar-power-in-palestine-2/
CR  - [16] German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). (2020). Renewable energy in the Palestinian territories – Project factsheet. Retrieved from: https://www.giz.de/en/regions?r=all
CR  - [17] Plan Bleu / UNEP-MAP. (2018). Sustainable development indicators for Palestine. Sophia Antipolis, France: Plan Bleu. Retrieved from: https://planbleu.org/sites/default/files/upload/files/5-8-EN_Rapport_indicateurs_Palestine.pdf
CR  - [18] Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics. (2020). Energy tables 2020. Retrieved from: https://www.pcbs.gov.ps/Portals/_Rainbow/Documents/energy-tables-2020-en.pdf
CR  - [19] Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics. (2022). Total energy supply 2009–2022. Retrieved from: https://www.pcbs.gov.ps/Portals/_Rainbow/Documents/Energy-Supply-2009-2022_E.htm
CR  - [20] Melhim. (2020). Paving the way for a renewable energy future in Palestine. This Week in Palestine. Retrieved from: https://thisweekinpalestine.com/paving-the-way-for-a-renewable-energy-future-in-palestine/
CR  - [21] Palestinian Energy and Natural Resources Authority. (2024). Palestinian energy authority annual strategy report. Ramallah: PENRA. Retrieved from: https://www.penra.pna.ps
CR  - [22] Palestinian Authority, World Bank. (2013). Resettlement action plan (RAP): Construction of four new 161 kV substations in the West Bank (Jenin, Nablus, Ramallah & Hebron) and associated distribution works. Washington, DC: World Bank Group. Retrieved from: https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/402881468328840633/pdf/RP6550v20P08440ent0Action0Plan0RAP0.pdf
CR  - [23] Palestinian Energy and Natural Resources Authority. (2020). Palestinian energy sector institutional framework [Figure]. Retrieved from: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Palestinian-Energy-Sector-Institutional-Framework-Source-Modified-from-PENRA_fig5_339894933
CR  - [24] Ismail, M.S., Moghavvemi, M., Mahlia, T.M.I. (2013). Analysis and evaluation of various aspects of solar radiation in the Palestinian territories. Energy Conversion and Management, 73, 57–68. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2013.04.026
CR  - [25] Abu Hamed, T., Peric, K. (2020). The role of renewable energy resources in alleviating energy poverty in Palestine. Renewable Energy Focus, 35, 97–107. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ref.2020.09.006
CR  - [26] Ajlouni, E., Alsamamra, H. (2019). A review of solar energy prospects in Palestine. American Journal of Modern Energy, 5(3), 49–62. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajme.20190503.11
CR  - [27] United Nations Development Programme. (2022). Palestine solar energy master plan – Opportunities and challenges. Jerusalem: UNDP. Retrieved from: https://www.ps.undp.org
CR  - [28] De Meij, A. (2016). Wind energy resource mapping of Palestine. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 56, 551–562. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2015.11.090
CR  - [29] Albisher, H., Alsamamra, H. (2019). An overview of wind energy potentials in Palestine. Journal of Energy and Natural Resources, 8(3), 98–108. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jenr.20190803.11
CR  - [30] Beithou, N., Abu Al-Ganam, Z. (2017). Geothermal energy in Palestine: Practical applications. Journal of Applied Research on Industrial Engineering, 4(3), 174–179. https://doi.org/10.22105/jarie.2017.54753
CR  - [31] Alsamamra, H., Shoqeir, J. H. (2021). Indirect impact of segregation wall on the investment in renewable energy in Palestine. Retrieved from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/352094381_Indirect_Impact_of_Segregation_Wall_on_the_Investment_in_Renewable_Energy_in_Palestine
CR  - [32] Juaidi, A., Montoya, F. G., Ibrik, I., Manzano-Agugliaro, F. (2016). An overview of renewable energy potential in Palestine. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 65, 943–960. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2016.07.048
CR  - [33] Hammad, M., Khattab, R., Yasin, L. (2023). Assessment of solar radiation variability and its impact on PV system design in Palestine. Renewable Energy, 210, 1324–1334. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2023.05.045
CR  - [34] Desideri, U., Elia, P. (2014). Analysis and comparison between a concentrating solar and a photovoltaic power plant. Applied Energy, 113, 422–433. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2013.07.046
CR  - [35] International Energy Agency. (2022). Renewables 2022 – Executive summary. Paris, France: IEA. Retrieved from: https://www.iea.org/reports/renewables-2022/executive-summary
CR  - [36] Technical University of Denmark, World Bank Group. (2023). Global Wind Atlas 3.3—West Bank, Gaza overview. Retrieved from: https://globalwindatlas.info
CR  - [37] International Energy Agency. (2023). The role of wind power in global energy systems. Paris, France: IEA. Retrieved from: https://www.iea.org/reports
CR  - [38] Ibrik, I. H. (2019). Techno-economic analysis of wind energy resources based on real measurements in West Bank – Palestine. International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, 9(6), 26–32. https://doi.org/10.32479/ijeep.8067
CR  - [39] SwitchMed, Palestine Polytechnic University. (2021). Bio-Clean: Producing biogas and bio-fertilizers from potato-starch waste and cow manure in Palestine. Retrieved from: https://switchmed.eu/news/bio-clean-the-project-producing-biogas-and-bio-fertilizers-from-waste-of-potato-starch-and-cow-manure/
CR  - [40] Author unknown. (2017). Economic feasibility of a biogas system in a small Palestinian poultry farm. Retrieved from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/321531633_Economic_Feasibility_of_a_Biogas_System_in_a_Small_Poultry_Farm
CR  - [41] U.S. Department of State. (2022). 2022 investment climate statements: West Bank and Gaza. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of State. Retrieved from: https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-investment-climate-statements/west-bank-and-gaza/
CR  - [42] World Bank. (2022). US$23.5 million grant to advance sustainability in Palestinian energy sector (ASPIRE Phase 2). Washington, DC: World Bank Group. Retrieved from: https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/pressrelease/2022/04/12/us-23-5-million-grant-to-advance-sustainability-in-palestinian-energy-sector
CR  - [43] Juaidi, A., Montoya, F.G., Ibrik, I., Manzano-Agugliaro, F. (2022). An overview of renewable energy strategies and policies in Palestine. Energy Strategy Reviews, 39, 100761. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esr.2021.100761
CR  - [44] Camporeale, C., Alsayed, M., Del Ciello, R., Yasin, B.Y.A. (2021). Investing in renewable energy and energy efficiency in Palestinian territories: Barriers and opportunities. Journal of Renewable Energy, 2021, 6622430. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/6622430
CR  - [45] Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources. (2012). Renewable energy and energy efficiency law No. (13) of 2012 (English translation). Amman, Jordan: MEMR. Retrieved from: https://www.memr.gov.jo
CR  - [46] Palestinian Electricity Regulatory Council. (2016). Net metering instructions for renewable energy systems in Palestine. Ramallah: PERC. Retrieved from: https://www.perc.ps
CR  - [47] State of Palestine. (2015). Law No. 14 of 2015 on renewable energy and energy efficiency. Ramallah: Official Gazette of the State of Palestine.
CR  - [48] International Renewable Energy Agency. (2021). Renewable readiness assessment: The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: IRENA. Retrieved from: https://www.irena.org/-/media/Files/IRENA/Agency/Publication/2021/Apr/IRENA_RRA_Jordan_2021.pdf
CR  - [49] Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources. (2022). Annual report 2022. Amman, Jordan: MEMR. Retrieved from: https://www.memr.gov.jo
CR  - [50] European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. (2024). Jordan – Renewable integration / NEPCO board report. London, United Kingdom: EBRD. Retrieved from: https://www.ebrd.com
CR  - [51] U.S. International Trade Administration. (2023). Morocco – Country commercial guide: Energy. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Commerce. Retrieved from: https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/morocco-energy
CR  - [52] Gide Loyrette Nouel. (2021). Electricity regulation in Morocco: Overview (Legal briefing).
CR  - [53] Energy Community (ECRB/EWG). (2022). Regulatory mechanisms for the deployment of RES in Morocco. Vienna, Austria: Energy Community. Retrieved from: https://www.energy-community.org/
CR  - [54] World Bank. (2018). Benban solar park: Transforming Egypt’s energy future. Washington, DC: World Bank Group. Retrieved from: https://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/308591523855887145/pdf/125274-BRI-PUBLIC-13-4-2018-14-30-10-MFDBriefEgyptEnergy.pdf
CR  - [55] World Bank. (2021). West Bank and Gaza – Electricity sector performance and reform challenges. Washington, DC: World Bank Group.
CR  - [56] Ibrik, I. H. (2019). Renewable energy development in Palestine – Policies and barriers. An-Najah University Journal for Research (Natural Sciences), 33(1), 1–15. Retrieved from: https://staff-beta.najah.edu/media/published_research/2019/01/08/8394-29312-5-ED__1_.pdf
CR  - [57] Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy (Egypt), New and Renewable Energy Authority. (2014–2018). Renewable Energy Law No. 203 of 2014 and subsequent regulations (incl. net-metering/auction updates). Cairo, Egypt: MOEE/NREA.
CR  - [58] New and Renewable Energy Authority. (2023). Annual report 2023. Cairo, Egypt: NREA. Retrieved from: https://nrea.gov.eg/Content/reports/Annual%20Report%202023%20Eng.pdf
CR  - [59] Egyptian Electricity Holding Company. (2024). Annual report 2023/2024. Cairo, Egypt: EEHC. Retrieved from: https://www.eehc.gov.eg/CMSEehc/Files/AnnualReport2024En.pdf
UR  - https://doi.org/10.29002/asujse.1711838
L1  - https://dergipark.org.tr/en/download/article-file/4926261
ER  -