Ariha connected to Jordan power grid

Ariha is connected to the Jordanian power grid; the first Palestinian town to end its dependence on Israel's electricity in 40 years.

"Today after 40 years of being connected to the Israeli power grid we are now connected to the Jordanian one," senior Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat said at a ceremony on Monday attended by Jordanian Energy Minister Khaldun Qteishat.

"I hope that this electrical current will one day light up the al-Aqsa Mosque and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre," he added.

The new connection will supply 20 megawatts of electricity per day to the town, which requires less than 15 megawatts, AFP reported.

It is expected that the new connection lowers power bills of 6,500 customers in Ariha and in the Jordan Valley by 15-20 percent.

The project was primarily financed by the Islamic Development Bank and the Norwegian government.