JERICHO (Ma’an) -- Jericho's solar power station will be connected to the Palestinian Jerusalem Electricity Company for a week's pilot testing, the head of the energy authority said Saturday.

Omar Katana said the plant will provide Palestine 300 kilowatts of energy per day to power the city of Jericho through the electricity company.

The first solar power station of its kind in the West Bank, Jericho's solar energy station was built with funding assistance from the Japanese government.

Katana said the activation of the plant is a key strategic goal towards using renewable energy that has been set by the authority in cooperation with the Palestinian Authority cabinet.

He expressed hope the pilot testing will provide a learning opportunity for new renewable energy initiatives in Palestine.