GAZA: The Gaza Strip will have three new solar energy plants operating by April, the US-based energy firm behind the project said on Tuesday, providing the territory with some relief from daily blackouts but far from meeting its severe power shortages.
Gaza was already chronically short of electricity before West Bank-based Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas cut payments for Israeli-supplied power to the territory in June, attempting to pressure the rival Hamas group to relinquish control of the Gaza Strip.
Despite hopes of a reconciliation deal between the two sides, these sanctions are still in place. Gaza’s daily power needs are estimated at nearly 600 megawatts. Israel, Egypt and the enclave’s only electrical generating plant currently supply 165 megawatts.
Solar power plants will be built in three areas in the Gaza Strip and in total produce 40 megawatts of electrical power as early as April, said Volker Gutjahr, technical director of the Samaha Group.
The project, called “Turn on the lights in Gaza,” was announced at a ceremony on Tuesday in the territory attended by company representatives and Palestinian officials.
“The capital will be around €50 million, plus or minus, because this is an unknown territory, so we never know what surprises may come up,” Gutjahr told Reuters.
Gutjahr said the first shipment of equipment for the solar plants should arrive in March and will reach the Gaza Strip via the Israeli Mediterranean port of Ashdod.
Wail Elawoor, CEO of Arab Orient Technology Services, the local partner in the venture, said approval for the project came from the Energy Authority of the Palestinian Authority, the self-rule body headed by the Western-backed Abbas.
The project will create jobs for local engineers and workers under supervision of US and German technical experts, Elawoor said.
Hamas, which is considered a terrorist group by the US and other Western countries, turned over civil control of the Gaza Strip to the Palestinian Authority two weeks ago. It had seized the territory in fighting in 2007.
US firm to build solar plants in blackout-plagued Gaza
US firm to build solar plants in blackout-plagued Gaza
Saudia airline receives 27m tourists, visitors during 2025
RIYADH: Collaboration between Saudi Arabia’s national carrier Saudia and the Saudi Tourism Authority in 2025 resulted in the Kingdom receiving approximately 27 million tourists and visitors from 24 countries on Saudia flights.
Khaled Tash, Group chief marketing officer of Saudia, praised the partnership with the STA, noting that it will contribute to reaching the target of 150 million tourists by 2030, following the achievement of the initial target in 2023.
The announcement was made during the launch of a Saudia aircraft adorned with the “Spirit of Saudi” logo at Saudia Technic’s maintenance, repair and overhaul village in Jeddah.
The launch forms part of the strategic partnership with the STA aimed at enhancing the Kingdom’s position as a global tourism destination.
The aircraft will fly to 25 destinations worldwide during 2026, serving as a mobile promotional platform reflecting authentic Saudi hospitality and supporting Vision 2030 goals to attract visitors from around the world.
In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency, Tash said the aircraft selected for the partnership is the Boeing B787-9, designed for long-haul flights to some of the Kingdom’s farthest destinations, including Jeddah–Washington routes, as well as East Asia and China.
For his part, Abdullah Al-Dakhil, the official spokesperson for the STA, affirmed that air connectivity is a key pillar of the tourism sector. He pointed out that the aim of this partnership, utilizing the international Boeing B787-9 aircraft, which attracts visitors from around the world, is to make the aircraft, with all its amenities, a creative promotional platform for travelers during their journey to Saudi Arabia.
This will allow them to experience authentic Saudi hospitality even before arriving in the Kingdom, where diverse destinations, seasons and international events await year-round.
Saudi Arabia is investing billions of dollars as part of its Vision 2030 plan to diversify its economy away from fossil fuels, boosting its private sector, and enhancing connectivity, as well as solidifying its role in the global aviation industry.
As part of the plan, the Kingdom aims to serve 330 million passengers across more than 250 destinations and transport 4.5 million tonnes of air cargo by 2030.
