Comet image of Solar panels in South Hebron areaComet-ME is establishing a new centre for renewable energy in South Mount Hebron as part of their effort to provide access to basic energy services to off-grid communities using environmentally and socially sustainable methods through hybrid wind and solar stand-alone mini-grids.

According to Comet-ME’s website, the organisation seeks to “facilitate social and economic empowerment of some of the poorest and most marginalized communities in the Occupied Palestinian Territories through the construction of renewable energy systems (wind and solar), capacity building and reliable maintenance.”

Intended as research centre for rural technologies, the new centre will operate as a regional base of operations for maintenance and installation activities, workshop and warehouse, training centre, meeting place and space for collaboration with other organisations and community members.

Access to basic services

Israeli apartheid systems deny Palestinian communities in area C access to basic services, including water and electricity. In many places, electric cables run over the communities’s heads and water is pumped under their feet but they are not prevented from using those essential resources.

Working in solidarity with vulnerable communities to challenge the discriminatory policies as a result of which they are living in poor living and housing conditions through encouraging reliance on natural resources and sustainable technologies supports Palestinian communities to stay in their land.

Volunteer day

Volunteers are invited to join Comet-ME for an open day on 18th November 2012 to learn about sustainable design and agriculture, see renewable energy in action, meet members of the community and work in solidarity with Palestinian communities in area C. For more information, see the Comet ME Volunteer Day Facebook page.