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31-07-2018


The Palestinian Electricity Regularity Council and National Beverage Company Hold Joint Awareness Workshop on Renewable Energy




 

Ramallah – Al Hayat Economic – The Palestinian Electricity Regulatory Council (PERC), in cooperation with the National Beverage Company Coca-Cola/Cappy (NBC (held two awareness workshops. The first workshop was held at NBC headquarters in Beitunia, while the second workshop was held in Cappy Plant in Kufr Zibad Village, Tukaram, with a view to introducing Palestinian Electricity Regulatory Council (PERC) and explaining the mechanisms of investment in renewable energy.

 

The workshops were organized in the presence of Eng. Ismail Alawneh, Director of Consumer Affairs Department at PERC and Ms. Serine Qassis, Director of Public Relations and Media. From the National Beverage Company (NBC) a number of managers and technical staff of plants attended the workshops in addition to representatives of relevant departments in NBC.

 

Eng. Hamdi Tahboub, CEO of PERC confirmed that both workshops are complimentary to a series of awareness workshops organized by PERC with a number of national private sector entities in the context of implementing the Palestinian National Authority’s plan aiming at advancing the Palestinian Electricity Sector. He further stressed the importance of meeting PERC strategic objective represented in investing in renewable energy projects and expanding their networks national-wide for the ultimate goal of providing the energy needs, reducing charges and saving costs.

 

On his part, NBC General Manager, Mr. Imad al-Hindi thanked PERC for organizing such joint events and awareness workshops on investment in renewable energy which is of paramount significance. Mr. al-Hindi added that his Company was very interested in that sector and has continuously worked on following the appropriate mechanism in utilizing alternative energy in NBC branches and plants all over the various governorates, in addition to supporting the entities that implement projects of installing solar energy in their facilities.

 

Mr. al-Hindi pointed out the importance of attendance by NBC Plant’ staff at both workshops, stressing the significance of the private sector entities in playing a role a partner to the Palestinian government and PERC in order to advancing the electricity sector and maintaining national resources, as well as in carrying out investment projects n solar and alternative energy, which also aim at conserving a safe and clean environment.

 

During the awareness workshop, Eng. Alawneh, on his part, presented a brief on workshop objectives and explained the reasons behind focusing on private sector companies, being an important category of electricity consumers. In addition, Eng. Alawneh briefly spoke about PERC’s establishment, tasks and vision, referring to the organizational structure of electricity sector in Palestine and general electricity law. Moreover, Eng. Alawneh introduced the distribution companies and projects of renewable energy production and generation in Palestine.

 

Eng. Alawneh outlined also main tasks of the Palestinian Energy Authority, the Palestinian Electricity Transmission Ltd. (PETL) and its transformation stations. Moreover, Eng. Alawneh provides the attendees with information on how to calculate electricity tariffs and charges of electrical service provision. Furthermore, Eng. Alawneh explained the steps to be followed when filing a complaint against distribution companies at PERC’s Department of Consumer Affairs.

 

Eng. Alawneh confirmed that distribution companies’ public service centers must put an obvious signage outlining electricity rates and PERC addresses. Eng. Alawneh added that there are 17 performance standards upon which, electricity distribution companies are evaluated. The referred standards are technical ones that are related to billing and number of complaints. All distribution companies are required to abide by electricity tariffs, noting that 30% of electrical network follows local municipalities and councils. The Government works now on merging them into the electricity distribution companies. As regards cases of electrical current theft and control of collection for distribution companies, Eng. Alawneh said that PERC cooperates with concerned bodies; in order to control such a matter through issuing clearance.

 

In conclusion of the workshop, the attendees raised queries to the delegate of the PERC concerning electricity tariffs, charges of electricity provision and complaints. Eng. Alawneh explained how to take part in Palestinian Solar Initiative (PSI) for houses, shedding light on how it is important to rely on solar energy for generating electrical current. Eng. Alawneh added that the window of opportunity still exists for other 600 houses to participate in the said initiative.  400 houses have already participated in the initiative which will include 1000 houses. Eng. Alawneh indicated that there are about 250 houses in Governorate of Tubas participating in the initiative. In respect of rationalization of electricity consumption, Eng. Alawneh said that rationalization originally means changing consumption practices to save power. Therefore, consumers should utilize energy-saving tools particularly energy-saving lights, and also rationalization in the use of air conditioners and heaters. Finally, citizen has to adopt proper practices in their daily consumption of electricity.