Gaza power cuts reduced
Reageer (0)3-10-2010
GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Two generators in Gaza's sole power station are now operational, reducing power cuts in the Strip, an energy official said Sunday.
Spokesman for the Gaza Energy Authority Jamal Ad-Dardasawi said fuel deliveries had facilitated the operation of the second generator increasing the plant's productivity to 60 mega watts. A new schedule could now be implemented, under which power would be cut for eight hours a day for two days, followed by two days without power cuts, he said.
Ad-Dardasawi said the improvement followed huge efforts to increase the authority's revenue, by collecting power bill payments and deducting money from salaries of employed Gaza residents.
More than $12 million had been transferred to Ramallah's Finance Ministry, the spokesman said, adding that if fuel deliveries continued, the new program of scheduled power cuts would remain in place.
Gaza experienced a series of blackouts after the Palestinian Authority took over responsibility for fuel transfers to the Strip from the EU in January. During an extensive blackout in August, when the power station shut down due to lack of fuel, hospitals declared a state of emergency as life-saving equipment was left reliant on generators.
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