Repaired generator to mitigate Gaza power crisis
Published today 15:57
www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=212678

Gaza - Ma'an - An Egyptian-repaired generator on its way back to the Gaza
power plant will ease the "hours of blackouts" that roll through the coastal
area, said power plant chief Jamal Ad-Dardasawi Friday.

Following more than two years of Israeli-imposed siege and a 22-day war that
pounded Gazan infrastructure, the Gaza power grid is in total disrepair with
little prospect for necessary replacement equipment becoming available.
According to UN observers Israel has maintained a near total ban on
reconstruction equipment at the Gaza crossing points.

The generator was sent out to Egypt for repairs as a last-ditch effort to
restore some generator capacity. Once re-installed the 70 megawatt per hour
machine will "provide a noticeable improvement in services for Gazans,
particularly residents of the area's largest metropolis Gaza City," the head
of public relations for the plant said.

While the installation of the generator will require a two or three day
power cut, long-term blackouts that often last days, will be shortened to
rolling 4-5 hour dark periods in the morning and a second 5-6 hour power out
in the evenings.