An-Najah Celebrates the Inauguration of Eumnaizel Village Electrification Project via Solar Cells
21 February 2010
On February 21st, the University celebrated, through the Energy Research Center (ERC), and in cooperation with the Spanish association (SEBA), the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation, and the Consulate General of Spain in Jerusalem the inauguration of Eumnaizel village electrification project through solar energy. Attended the event was Mr. Ramón Ansoaín, Spanish Consul General in Jerusalem, Dr. Imad Ibrik, Director of the (ERC) at An-Najah, as well as other officials.
Mr. Ansoaín said that such projects aim to develop the private sector in Palestine. He hoped that such cooperation would continue in the future so that further important projects could be implemented.
Dr. Ibrik, the Project's Manager, mentioned that providing Eumnaizel with electricity through solar cells has changed the life of people in the village which enabled them to use electricity whenever they want. He also hoped that more similar projects would be implemented in the future and emphasized that this project is the second of its kind in Palestine ; the first one was executed in Attof village last year. "The Project almost cost 200,000 Euros and it is the biggest project in Palestine in which solar energy is used to generate electricity" said Dr. Ibrik.
After the celebration, an agreement was signed between Mr. Abu Qbaita, Mayor of Yatta village municipality, Mr. Xavier Vallve, Director of SEBA institution and Dr. Imad Ibrik, Director of the ERC. According to the agreement, the ownership of Eumnaizel electrification project will be transferred to Yatta Municipality which will take the responsibility of running the project during the next five years.
Mr. Bilal Salameh, Director of An-Najah Community Services Center (CSC), said that this project is vital and necessary to cover the needs of the village. It is of importance to mention here that the CSC has contributed to the success of this project through organizing direction and orientation meeting with the people in the village and trained them on the use of solar energy. Inhabitants of Eumnaizel in turn expressed their happiness to have such project implemented in their village and thanked the University and the Spanish bodies for their efforts to bring a brighter future to the village.
