Desalination can be a cost-effective way to produce fresh water and possibly electricity. The Gaza
Strip has had a complex hydro-political situation for many years. Gaza is bordered by the
Mediterranean in the west, by Israel in the north and east and by Egypt in the south. Water and
electricity consumption in the Gaza Strip is expected to increase in the future due to the increasing
population.
In this paper, a solution for Sinai and the Gaza Strip is suggested involving the building of a joint
power and desalination plant, located in Egypt close to the border of Gaza. The suggested joint
Egypt-Palestine project would increases water supply by 500,000 m3
/d and the power supply by
500MW, whereof 2/3 is suggested to be used in Gaza and 1/3 in Sinai. The present lack of
electricity and water in Gaza could be erased by such a project. But Egypt will probably gain more.
More water and electricity will be available for the future development of Sinai; a significant value
will be added to the sale of Egyptian natural gas; more employment opportunities for people living
in Sinai; the domestic market for operation and maintenance of desalination plants can be boosted
by the suggested project; Egypt may naturally and peacefully increase its cooperation with and
presence in Gaza, which should lead to increased security around the border. This type of project
could also get international support and can be a role-model for cooperation and trust-building
between neighbours in the Middle East region.
This paper is also concerned with the water resources and water availability of in the Middle East as
a baseline for cooperation between countries such as reach and poor peoples. Especially the water
situation in Palestine (Gaza and West Bank) relationships to the Jordan and Egypt Basins will be
considered.
Abstract
Desalination can be a cost-effective way to produce fresh water and possibly electricity. The Gaza
Strip has had a complex hydro-political situation for many years. Gaza is bordered by the
Mediterranean in the west, by Israel in the north and east and by Egypt in the south. Water and
electricity consumption in the Gaza Strip is expected to increase in the future due to the increasing
population.
In this paper, a solution for Sinai and the Gaza Strip is suggested involving the building of a joint
power and desalination plant, located in Egypt close to the border of Gaza. The suggested joint
Egypt-Palestine project would increases water supply by 500,000 m3
/d and the power supply by
500MW, whereof 2/3 is suggested to be used in Gaza and 1/3 in Sinai. The present lack of
electricity and water in Gaza could be erased by such a project. But Egypt will probably gain more.
More water and electricity will be available for the future development of Sinai; a significant value
will be added to the sale of Egyptian natural gas; more employment opportunities for people living
in Sinai; the domestic market for operation and maintenance of desalination plants can be boosted
by the suggested project; Egypt may naturally and peacefully increase its cooperation with and
presence in Gaza, which should lead to increased security around the border. This type of project
could also get international support and can be a role-model for cooperation and trust-building
between neighbours in the Middle East region.
This paper is also concerned with the water resources and water availability of in the Middle East as
a baseline for cooperation between countries such as reach and poor peoples. Especially the water
situation in Palestine (Gaza and West Bank) relationships to the Jordan and Egypt Basins will be
considered.
Publication Date
8/1/2010
Publisher
Univ. Prof. W. Rauch Universität Innsbruck Institut für Infrastruktur Arbeitsbereich Umwelttechnik Technikerstraße 13 A - 6020 Innsbruck
الدكتور محمد الجرادين | Mohammad Aljaradin | 12520