How Ramallah is resolving electricity crisis
The Ramallah-based government pledged to pay the Jerusalem District Electricity Company the monthly electricity bills on behalf of the refugees in 13 camps, in addition to their accumulated debt, in a step that would end the company's debt and increase hours of supply.
RAMALLAH, West Bank — Under the patronage of Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh, the Jerusalem District Electricity Company (JDECO) signed Dec. 29 with eight banks operating in the Palestinian territories a memorandum of understanding under which the banks shall buy JDECO’s entire debt to the Israel Electric Corporation (IEC), which amounts to 670 million shekels ($191.4 million). This is provided that the government pays the banks its financial dues to JDECO in the form of monthly installments.
This agreement followed Shtayyeh’s remarks Dec. 19 that his government decided to settle the electricity bills on behalf of all Palestinian camps. They include bills that have accumulated over the past years and monthly bills that will be issued in 2020.
