Desalination and Power Plants Together for Water and Peace A Case study of the Gaza-Strip, Palestine
Author
Editor
- Markus Aufleger
- Michael Mett
Summary, in English
Desalination can be a cost-effective way to produce fresh water and possibly electricity. The Gaza Strip has had a complex hydro-political situation for many years. Gaza is bordered by the Mediterranean in the west, by Israel in the north and east and by Egypt in the south. Water and electricity consumption in the Gaza Strip is expected to increase in the future due to the increasing population.
In this paper, a solution for Sinai and the Gaza Strip is suggested involving the building of a joint power and desalination plant, located in Egypt close to the border of Gaza. The suggested joint Egypt-Palestine project would increases water supply by 500,000 m3/d and the power supply by 500MW, whereof 2/3 is suggested to be used in Gaza and 1/3 in Sinai. The present lack of electricity and water in Gaza could be erased by such a project. But Egypt will probably gain more. More water and electricity will be available for the future development of Sinai; a significant value will be added to the sale of Egyptian natural gas; more employment opportunities for people living in Sinai; the domestic market for operation and maintenance of desalination plants can be boosted by the suggested project; Egypt may naturally and peacefully increase its cooperation with and presence in Gaza, which should lead to increased security around the border. This type of project could also get international support and can be a role-model for cooperation and trust-building between neighbours in the Middle East region.
This paper is also concerned with the water resources and water availability of in the Middle East as a baseline for cooperation between countries such as reach and poor peoples. Especially the water situation in Palestine (Gaza and West Bank) relationships to the Jordan and Egypt Basins will be considered.
In this paper, a solution for Sinai and the Gaza Strip is suggested involving the building of a joint power and desalination plant, located in Egypt close to the border of Gaza. The suggested joint Egypt-Palestine project would increases water supply by 500,000 m3/d and the power supply by 500MW, whereof 2/3 is suggested to be used in Gaza and 1/3 in Sinai. The present lack of electricity and water in Gaza could be erased by such a project. But Egypt will probably gain more. More water and electricity will be available for the future development of Sinai; a significant value will be added to the sale of Egyptian natural gas; more employment opportunities for people living in Sinai; the domestic market for operation and maintenance of desalination plants can be boosted by the suggested project; Egypt may naturally and peacefully increase its cooperation with and presence in Gaza, which should lead to increased security around the border. This type of project could also get international support and can be a role-model for cooperation and trust-building between neighbours in the Middle East region.
This paper is also concerned with the water resources and water availability of in the Middle East as a baseline for cooperation between countries such as reach and poor peoples. Especially the water situation in Palestine (Gaza and West Bank) relationships to the Jordan and Egypt Basins will be considered.
Department/s
Publishing year
2011
Language
English
Pages
111-127
Publication/Series
Handshacke across the Jordan : water and understanding
Volume
10
Document type
Book chapter
Publisher
Innsbruck University Press
Topic
- Other Social Sciences
- Water Engineering
Keywords
- Unit costs
- Water resources
- Palestine-Gaza Strip
- Power plant
- Desalination
- Environmental impact
Status
Published
ISBN/ISSN/Other
- ISBN: 978-3-902719-49-2