EU and partners visit renewable energy sites in northern Jericho, raise concerns about Israeli settlement expansion

Heads of mission and representatives of the European Union and like-minded countries joined the Palestinian Energy and Natural Resources Agency (PENRA) on a field visit Down renewable energy sites in Al-Auja and al-Nuway’imah near Jericho. Diplomats were briefed on Palestinian energy initiatives and plans in Area C, which is grappling with continued illegal Israeli settlement expansion.

The delegation visited sites where the PA plans to build three solar farms. The visit highlighted the economic opportunities and significant potential for expanding sustainable energy production for Palestinian communities in the West Bank, emphasizing the critical need for Palestinian access to land in Area C. PENRA representatives briefed the diplomats on the numerous challenges they face, including difficulties in obtaining Israeli permits, settler violence, land acquisition issues, and settlement expansion, which pose significant barriers to the Palestinians’ ability to achieve their renewable and green energy goals.

During the tour, the delegation also learned about recent developments in Israel’s settlement infrastructure, in particular renewable energy sites in the Jordan Valley. They visited the planned location of Israel’s Na’ama South project, which is planned will be built on over 3,200 dunams of land in Area C in the occupied Palestinian territory, making it the largest Israeli solar farm in the region. In this context, the EU and partners reiterated their strong opposition to Israel’s settlement policies and activities and oppose any actions that undermine the viability of the two-state solution. The EU considers settlements illegal under international law and a barrier to peace, calling for an end to settlement expansion and legalisation, including in the renewable energy sector.

“Area C in the Occupied Palestinian Territory has enormous potential for the development of solar and green energy, which is crucial for the economic and environmental sustainability of Palestinian communities. The EU remains committed to supporting Palestinian renewable and sustainable energy projects in Area C, in line with its broader objective of establishing an independent, democratic, contiguous, sovereign and viable Palestinian State,” said European Union representative Alexandre Stutzmann.