Renewable energy in Palestine

Renewable energy in Palestine is a small component of the national energy mix, accounting for 1.4% of energy produced in 2012. Palestine has some of the highest rate of solar water heating in the region, and there are a number of solar power projects. A number of issues confront renewable energy development; a lack of national infrastructure and the limited regulatory framework of the Oslo Accords are both barriers to investment.

The country is currently experiencing energy shortages, and there are frequent power cuts, which range from 12 to 16 hours long. The energy deficit for an average citizen was estimated at 415MWh, a shortfall due to energy insecurity. The population of Palestine ballooned to almost five million by 2015, putting a strain on existing energy sources, such as diesel, kerosene, and oil, and the construction of new energy infrastructure is rare.

Due to having an estimated 3,400 hours of sunshine a year, the most promising renewable energy source for Palestine is solar power, and it is estimated that it has the highest density of rooftop solar-powered systems in the world. This is in spite of the fact that the government of Israel has sometimes restricted the entry of materials used to make solar panels into Gaza in the 21st century. There are also higher-elevation areas, such as Ramallah, East Jerusalem, and Hebron which are well-suited to the implementation of wind power. A 2012 study estimated that solar power could make up 13% of Palestine's potential energy usage, wind could make up 6.6%, and biofuel 5%.