RAMALLAH, West Bank — The Palestinian Energy and Natural Resources Authority, representing the Palestinian Authority (PA), and the National Electric Power Co., representing Jordan, are finalizing an agreement on a comprehensive project to be signed before May 20 to increase imported power from Jordan to the Palestinian territories.

The project comes as part of the PA’s efforts to diversify electricity sources rather than rely on only one. The PA imports more than 90% of its electricity needs from Israel. For the rest, it relies on a Jordanian line that feeds Jericho and on solar energy. The new project will serve the West Bank only — excluding the Gaza Strip.

The energy authority's acting chairman, Zafer Melhem, told Al-Monitor, “There are no restrictions on Palestine to import electricity from anywhere outside the country. The agreement confirms our intention to decrease reliance on one source of energy and to promote diversification.”

Melhem noted that the strategic aim of the project is to diversify sources of energy and decrease reliance on Israel. The plan is underway, especially as the Palestinian territories are producing 40 megawatts of power locally and through solar energy.