Gaza power plant to shut down due to lack of fuel

The Energy Authority in Gaza warned on Tuesday that the enclave's sole power plant will be forced to shut down after the Palestinian Petroleum Authority in Ramallah reduced the station's fuel share, according to PIC.

In a statement, the Energy Authority slammed the General Petroleum Corporation's decision to reduce Gaza's fuel share and its reluctance to provide the necessary amount to operate the station.

The Authority said such reductions are unjustified and contravene the directives of the Council of Ministers.

The restrictions come at a time when a number of Israeli and Egyptian power lines have been broken down, thus making matters worse for the besieged enclave with the advent of a freezing winter.

The Energy Authority called on all concerned parties to provide the fuel reserves needed to operate Gaza’s power plant and prevent a further exacerbation of the crisis, warning that it would refrain from sending cash to the Petroleum Authority if the fuel quantities paid in advance were not dispatched soon.