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PIF signs agreement with Ministry of Education to equip public schools with solar power

Palestine Investment Fund and Palestinian Ministry of Education and Higher Education sign agreement to equip 500 public schools with rooftop solar power

The Palestine Investment Fund (PIF) and the Palestinian Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE) on Tuesday signed an agreement to install solar power systems on the rooftops of 500 public schools. The $35 million, four-year investment will wield a total generation capacity of 35 megawatts.

The agreement is a critical element in the Palestinian government’s efforts to mobilize financial support for the education sector, especially the development of educational facilities, Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah said. It also comes as part of Palestine’s ongoing investments in renewable energy, which is quickly spreading to a variety of domestic institutions and sectors.

Such a large-scale renewable energy agreement is unprecedented in Palestine, explained PIF Chairman Dr. Mohammad Mustafa, and demonstrates tangible progress in PIF’s 'Noor Palestine’ green energy program.

“Noor Palestine is a program to equip Palestine with solar power through investments in solar parks and rooftop generation systems,” Dr. Mustafa explained. “Solar parks are currently under development in Jericho, as well as other sites, for a total generation capacity of 25 MW. Taken together with the school program, this is a generation capacity of 60 MW, and a $65 million investment.”

MoEHE Minister Sabri Sidem stressed the education sector’s readiness to make critical investments in renewable energy and praised the public-private partnerships that enabled the agreement to take shape.

“The choice of the Palestine Investment Fund as developer, with cooperation with the Palestinian Energy Authority, gives us confidence we will reach our green energy goals,” Minister Sidem said. “The agreement is in line with both the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Act and the General Renewable Energy Strategy. The Palestinian government is committed to developing alternative sources of energy, strengthening energy security, and encouraging environmental protection.”

The Noor Palestine program is introducing solar and renewable energy in a variety of critical sectors and industries in Palestine. Led by Massader, PIF’s impact investment arm for energy and infrastructure, Noor Palestine seeks to reduce dependence on energy imports and strengthen Palestine’s energy security. The school rooftop solar energy program is a critical step forward for clean energy and environmental protection in Palestine.

Photos from the signging event are below:

PIF Chairman Dr. Mohammad Mustafa with Palestinian Minister of Education and Higher Education Sabri Sidem

PIF Chairman Dr. Mohammad Mustafa signs the agreement with Palestinian Minister of Education and Higher Education Sabri Sidem

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