The Potential of Wind Energy in Palestine with Healthcare and Residential Examples in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip

摘要

This study is prepared with the aim of investigating the potential of wind energy in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT), comprised of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip. The average wind speed in the OPT varies from 3-4 m/s in coastal areas (the Gaza Strip) to 6-10 m/s in more elevated areas (as in the case of the city of Hebron in the West Bank). Considering the lowest speed of wind (6.5 m/s) required to run wind turbines, which is almost equal to the average value of the wind speeds in the OPT, indicates a moderate potential for wind energy generation in the OPT. However, the high costs of wind energy technology, the lack of professional capabilities to deal with wind energy, and the limited areas available for wind energy projects, as well as the political and geopolitical restrictions on the OPT make wind energy projects impractical. Nevertheless, a few examples on wind energy were evaluated to be established in the OPT. These include the wind energy turbine that supposed to be installed at the Al-Ahli Hospital's site in Hebron in the West Bank, and potentially some residential small-size wind energy systems proposed for installation in the Gaza Strip. These systems are investigated and analyzed as examples on the potential of wind energy projects in the OPT. Additionally, the potential for wind energy in neighboring countries as a sustainable energy source, as well as the environmental impacts of wind energy have been also discussed.