Powerless Under Siege and Devastation: The Struggle for Clean and Affordable Energy in Gaza
摘要
This chapter explores the critical energy challenges faced by Gazans amid the recent war and the resulting destruction, with a special focus on Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7), which aims to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. The work aims to outline the energy landscape in Gaza, detailing the extensive damage to power plants, electricity grids, and fuel supplies. This war and blockade have severely impacted Gaza’s energy infrastructure, leading to chronic electricity shortages and reliance on unsustainable energy sources. It highlights how these disruptions have led to widespread energy poverty, affecting homes, hospitals, schools, and businesses. Key issues examined include the limited availability of affordable and clean energy, the heavy reliance on unreliable electricity sources, and the significant environmental and health impacts resulting from energy shortages. The chapter concludes with recommendations for rebuilding and upgrading Gaza’s energy infrastructure to achieve SDG 7. It stresses the importance of international cooperation, investment in renewable energy technologies, and the establishment of a stable political environment to ensure long-term energy sustainability, affordability, and resilience. This comprehensive analysis aims to provide a deeper understanding of the energy crisis in Gaza, offering insights into the urgent actions needed to address these challenges and promote energy security and sustainable development in the region.