On 22 November, a formal handover ceremony of a project jointly implemented by the Czech Development Agency and the Palestinian Energy and Natural Resources Authority was held at Bethlehem University. Thanks to the Czech development cooperation, a system of solar photovoltaic panels with the total capacity of 30kW was installed on the 125-year old roof of the oldest university in Palestine.

The ceremony was attended by the representatives of the Czech Development Agency, the Representative Office of the Czech Republic in Ramallah, the Honorary Counsel of the Czech Republic in Bethlehem, the Palestinian Energy Authority as well as the Vice-President and other officials of the University. The university’s Vice President for Advancement Brother Denis Loft thanked the people of the Czech Republic for their generous support and stated that “solar power is a way of reducing carbon emissions, and ensuring a better life for future generations.” The newly installed solar panels will substantially reduce the university’s energy expenses and will also have a positive environmental impact. Mr. Martin Náprstek from the Czech Development Agency thanked the representatives of the Palestinian energy authority as well as the university for their cooperation in implementing the Czech energy projects. Within available resources, the Czech Development Agency intends to continue supporting the Palestinian energy sector.  

Other Palestinian institutions, where photovoltaic systems were recently installed thanks to the Czech development cooperation, are: Birzeit University, the Palestine Technical University in Tulkarem, Star Mountain Rehabilitation Center, Center for the Blind in al-Bireh, Red Crescent Society in Halhul, Tubas Charitable Society and Solomon Pools in Bethlehem.