:Energy in Israel
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{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
File:Elifaz-Solar-Field.jpg Elifaz, Israel]]
File:Energy consumption by source, Israel.svg
Most energy in Israel comes from fossil fuels. The country's total primary energy demand is significantly higher than its total primary energy production, relying heavily on imports to meet its energy needs. Total primary energy consumption was {{convert|1.037|quad|TWh|abbr=on|lk=on|order=flip}} in 2016, or 26.2 million tonne of oil equivalent.
Electricity consumption in Israel was 57,149 GWh in 2017, while production was 64,675 GWh, with net exports of 4.94 TWh. The installed generating capacity was about 16.25 GW in 2014, almost all from fossil fuel power stations, mostly coal and gas fueled. Renewable energy accounted for a minor share of electricity production, with a small solar photovoltaic installed capacity. However, there are a total of over 1.3 million solar water heaters installed as a result of mandatory solar water heating regulations.
In 2018, 70% of electricity came from natural gas, and 4% from renewables, of which 95% was solar PV.[http://www.iea-pvps.org/index.php?id=6&eID=dam_frontend_push&docID=4827 PVPS annual report, 2018] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190516193546/http://iea-pvps.org/index.php?id=6 |date=16 May 2019 }}, p.72
In 2020, the government committed that by 2030, renewables should reach 30%.Surkes, S. (2020) Cabinet greenlights target of 30% renewable energy by 2030, Times of Israel 25 October 2020, https://www.timesofisrael.com/cabinet-greenlights-target-of-30-renewable-energy-by-2030/ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210531122317/https://www.timesofisrael.com/cabinet-greenlights-target-of-30-renewable-energy-by-2030/ |date=31 May 2021 }} This target was further revised in 2021, when Israel pledged at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) to phasing out coal for energy generation by 2025, and reaching net zero for greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
The transportation sector has historically relied almost entirely on petroleum derived fuels, as both private motorcars and public transit buses used to overwhelmingly rely on gasoline or diesel - and still do, despite efforts to change this.{{Cite web |url=https://www.openaccessgovernment.org/transport-in-israel-the-progress-of-electric-buses-and-vehicles/87543/ |title=Transport in Israel: The progress of electric buses and vehicles |date=28 May 2020 |access-date=24 November 2021 |archive-date=24 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211124000534/https://www.openaccessgovernment.org/transport-in-israel-the-progress-of-electric-buses-and-vehicles/87543/ |url-status=live }} However, Israel is undertaking a mobility transition{{Cite web|url=https://m.jpost.com/jpost-tech/israel-to-host-smart-mobility-summit-next-week-683811|title=Israel to host Smart Mobility Summit next week|date=2 November 2021 }} which includes the electrification of the Israel Railways network{{Cite web |url=https://www.projectproglobal.com/project/israel-railways-electrification/ |title=Israel Railways electrification |access-date=24 November 2021 |archive-date=24 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211124000039/https://www.projectproglobal.com/project/israel-railways-electrification/ |url-status=live }} (beginning with the Tel Aviv-Jerusalem railway in 2018) and the construction of Jerusalem light rail (opened 2011), public transit cablecars in Haifa and Tel Aviv light rail.{{Cite web |url=https://rail.bombardier.com/en/newsroom/press-releases.html/bombardier/news/stories/_2019/solving-israels-tough-traffic-challenge/en |title=Press Releases |access-date=24 November 2021 |archive-date=24 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211124000040/https://rail.bombardier.com/en/newsroom/press-releases.html/bombardier/news/stories/_2019/solving-israels-tough-traffic-challenge/en |url-status=live }} In 2018 Israel set the target date for the phase-out of fossil fuel vehicles (i.e. an end to future sales of new fossil fuel powered vehicles) for 2030.{{Cite web |url=https://cleantechnica.com/2018/11/11/israel-will-ban-gasoline-diesel-vehicles-after-2030/ |title=Israel Will Ban Gasoline & Diesel Vehicles After 2030 |date=11 November 2018 |access-date=24 November 2021 |archive-date=24 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211124001141/https://cleantechnica.com/2018/11/11/israel-will-ban-gasoline-diesel-vehicles-after-2030/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web| url = https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-electric-vehicles-idUSKCN1MJ1PS| title = Israel aims for zero new gasoline, diesel-powered vehicles by 2030| website = Reuters| access-date = 24 November 2021| archive-date = 24 November 2021| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211124001147/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-electric-vehicles-idUSKCN1MJ1PS| url-status = dead}}
History
File:PikiWiki Israel 33882 Geography of Israel.JPG]]
Throughout Israel's history, securing the energy supply had been a major concern of Israeli policymakers.{{cite web|url=http://www.brookings.edu/research/papers/2015/02/israel-energy-island-natural-gas|title=The energy island: Israel deals with its natural gas discoveries|first=Tim Boersma and Natan|last=Sachs|website=Brookings.edu|access-date=6 December 2017|archive-date=22 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150222021848/http://www.brookings.edu/research/papers/2015/02/israel-energy-island-natural-gas|url-status=live}} The Israel Electric Corporation, which traces its history to 1923, with the First Jordan Hydro-Electric Power House, is the main electricity generator and distributor in Israel.Shamir, Ronen (2013). Current Flow: The Electrification of Palestine. Stanford: Stanford University Press.
Petroleum exploration began in 1947 on a surface feature in the Heletz area in the southern coastal plain. The first discovery, Heletz-I, was completed in 1955, followed by the discovery and development of a few small wells in Kokhav, Brur, Ashdod and Zuk Tamrur in 1957.{{cite web|url=http://www.mepc.org/journal/middle-east-policy-archives/israels-energy-security-regional-implications?print|title=Israel's Energy Security: Regional Implications - Middle East Policy Council|website=www.MEPC.org|date=7 September 2011 |access-date=6 December 2017|archive-date=28 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170328084050/http://www.mepc.org/journal/middle-east-policy-archives/israels-energy-security-regional-implications?print|url-status=live}} The combined Heletz-Brur-Kokhav field produced a total of 17.2 million barrels, a negligible amount compared with national consumption. Since the early 1950s, 480 oil and gas wells, land and offshore were drilled in Israel, most of which did not result in commercial success. In 1958–1961, several small gas fields were discovered in the southern Judean desert. From the Six-Day War until the Egyptian Separation Treaty in 1975, Israel produced large quantities of petroleum from the Abu Rodes oil field in Sinai.{{cite web|url=http://energy.gov.il/ENGLISH/SUBJECTS/OILANDGASEXPLORATION/Pages/GxmsMniPetroleumAndNaturalGasProspecting.aspx|title=Petroleum and Natural Gas Prospecting|website=Energy.gov.il|access-date=6 December 2017|archive-date=13 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180113005807/http://energy.gov.il/English/Subjects/OilAndGasExploration/Pages/GxmsMniPetroleumAndNaturalGasProspecting.aspx|url-status=live}}
In 1951, the Arab states accused American oil interests in Saudi Arabia of selling oil to Central American governments who circumvented the Arab blockade against Israel by selling the oil back to the refinery in Haifa.{{Cite web| title = Corpus Christi Times, August 4 1951| access-date = 1 July 2018| url = https://newspaperarchive.com/anonymous-politics-clipping-aug-04-1951-735828/| via = NewspaperARCHIVE| archive-date = 1 July 2018| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180701054826/https://newspaperarchive.com/anonymous-politics-clipping-aug-04-1951-735828/| url-status = live}}
Solar power in Israel has been the main renewable energy resource used in Israel since the 1950s, at first mostly for solar water heaters.{{Cite web |url=http://www.solar.co.il/water-heaters.htm |title=Solar Energy in Israel - FAQ - Solar Water Heaters |access-date=23 November 2021 |archive-date=25 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211025235620/http://solar.co.il/water-heaters.htm |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.jinyi-solar.com/news/Israel-Solar-Water-Heater.html |title=Israel\'s Special Relationship with the Solar Water Heater |access-date=23 November 2021 |archive-date=23 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211123233924/https://www.jinyi-solar.com/news/Israel-Solar-Water-Heater.html |url-status=live }} Photovoltaics has only reached commercial scale in Israel in the 21st century but has since grown rapidly.{{Cite web |url=https://www.aravapower.com/about-arava-power/?lang=en |title=About Arava Power | Arava Power |access-date=23 November 2021 |archive-date=18 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418211021/https://www.aravapower.com/about-arava-power/?lang=en |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.lnrg.technology/2020/10/20/integration-of-solar-pv-in-israel-2020/ |title=Integration of solar PV in Israel 2020 |date=20 October 2020 |access-date=23 November 2021 |archive-date=23 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211123234159/https://www.lnrg.technology/2020/10/20/integration-of-solar-pv-in-israel-2020/ |url-status=live }}
In 2021, Prime Minister Naftali Bennet committed Israel at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) to phasing out coal for energy generation by 2025, and reaching net zero for greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.{{cite web | last=Liphshiz | first=Cnaan | title=Naftali Bennett at COP26: Israeli start-ups should focus their energies on climate change | website=Jewish Telegraphic Agency | date=2 Nov 2021 | url=https://www.jta.org/2021/11/02/global/naftali-bennett-at-cop26-israeli-start-ups-should-focus-on-climate-change | access-date=7 November 2021 | archive-date=7 November 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107161336/https://www.jta.org/2021/11/02/global/naftali-bennett-at-cop26-israeli-start-ups-should-focus-on-climate-change | url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Bennett tells COP26 Israeli innovation can make 'real difference' on climate |url=https://www.israelhayom.com/2021/11/01/bennett-tells-cop26-israeli-innovation-can-make-real-difference-on-climate/ |website=Israel HaYom |date=1 Nov 2021 |access-date=7 November 2021 |archive-date=7 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107161336/https://www.israelhayom.com/2021/11/01/bennett-tells-cop26-israeli-innovation-can-make-real-difference-on-climate/ |url-status=live }}
Primary energy
=Natural gas=
{{Main|Natural gas in Israel}}
{{See also|Israeli Citizens' Fund}}
File:מגדל הקידוח בשדה נועה (צילם רן ארדה).jpg
Since Israel’s creation in 1948, it has been dependent on energy imports from other countries.Blanche, Ed. "Israeli Gas Finds Could Prove A Game Changer." Middle East 416 (2010): 22-25. Specifically, Israel produced 7 billion cubic meters of natural gas in 2013, and imported 720 million cubic meters in 2011.[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html The World Factbook 2013-14] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181223170904/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/index.html |date=23 December 2018 }}. Washington, DC: Central Intelligence Agency, 2013.
Historically, Israel has imported natural gas through the Arish-Ashkelon pipeline from Egypt.[http://www.eia.gov/countries/country-data.cfm?fips=is "Israel - Country Analysis Note."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150321181302/http://www.eia.gov/countries/country-data.cfm?fips=IS |date=21 March 2015 }} U.S. Energy Information Administration, March 2014.
Egypt is the second-largest natural gas producer in North Africa. In 2005 Egypt signed a 2.5 billion-dollar deal to supply Israel with 57 billion cubic feet of gas per year for fifteen years.Antreasyan, Anaïs. "Gas Finds in the Eastern Mediterranean" Journal of Palestine Studies, Vol. 42, No. 3 (Spring 2013), pp. 29–47 Under this arrangement, Egypt supplies 40 percent of Israel's natural gas demand.
The Israeli Electric Corporation (IEC) controls more than 95% of the electricity sector in Israel, and controls production, distribution, and transmission of electricity. The IEC has a natural gas distribution law which regulates the distribution of natural gas in Israel to empower market competition.Ben-Shalom, Jeremy. "Israel: National Report for CDS" - 14/15 Thematic Areas.
The discoveries of the Tamar gas field in 2009 and the Leviathan gas field in 2010 off the coast of Israel were important. The natural gas reserves in these two fields (Leviathan has around 19 trillion cubic feet) could make Israel more energy secure. In 2013 Israel began commercial production of natural gas from the Tamar field and in 2019 from Leviathan.{{cite news|last=Solomon|first=Shoshanna|title=Israel Begins Gas Production at Tamar Field in Boost to Economy|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2013-03-30/israel-begins-gas-production-at-tamar-field-in-boost-to-economy|date=30 March 2013|author2=Ackerman, Gwen|agency=Bloomberg}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-natgas-leviathan/israel-gets-first-gas-from-leviathan-with-exports-to-follow-idUSKBN1YZ0H9|title=Israel gets first gas from Leviathan with exports to follow|date=2019-12-31|publisher=Reuters}} As of 2017, even by conservative estimates, Leviathan holds enough gas to meet Israel's domestic needs for 40 years.{{Cite web |last=Cohen |first=Ariel |title=Israel's Leviathan Energy Prize: Where Will The Gas Go? |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/arielcohen/2019/02/19/israels-leviathan-energy-prize-where-will-the-gas-go/ |access-date=2023-06-02 |website=Forbes |language=en}}
In addition, the Karish gas field started production in 2022 after Israel reached an agreement with Lebanon that ended a maritime border dispute between the two.{{Cite news |last=Scheer |first=Steven |date=2022-10-26 |title=Energean starts gas production at Israel's Karish site |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/energean-starts-production-israels-karish-gas-field-2022-10-26/ |access-date=2022-10-26}}
Electricity
{{Main|Electricity sector in Israel}}
File:Israel electricity production.svg
Israel's electricity sector relies mainly on fossil fuels. In 2015, energy consumption in Israel was 52.86 TWh, or 6,562 kWh per capita. The Israel Electric Corporation (IEC), which is owned by the government, produces most electricity in Israel, with a production capacity of 11,900 megawatts in 2016. In 2016, IEC's share of the electricity market was 71%.
=Hydrocarbon fuels=
Most electricity in Israel comes from hydrocarbon fuels from the following IEC power plants:
| class="wikitable sortable"
!Name!!Location!!Type of turbine!!Type of fuel!!Capacity (MW) |
| Orot Rabin
|Coal |2,590 |
| Orot Rabin
|Hadera |Gas (jet) |15 |
| rowspan="2" |Rutenberg
| rowspan="2" |Ashkelon |Steam |Coal |2,250 |
| Gas (jet)
|Diesel |40 |
| rowspan="3" |Eshkol
| rowspan="3" |Ashdod |Steam |912 |
| Gas (jet), combined cycle
|Natural gas |771 |
| Gas (jet)
|Diesel |10 |
| Reading
|Steam |Natural gas |428 |
| rowspan="3" |Haifa
| rowspan="3" |Haifa |Steam |Natural gas |282 |
| Steam
|Natural gas |748 |
| Gas (jet)
|Diesel |80 |
| Eilat
|Gas (jet and industrial) |Diesel |34 |
| Eitan
| |Gas (jet) |Diesel, methanol |58 |
| rowspan="2" |Alon Tavor
| rowspan="2" |Alon Tavor Industrial Zone |Gas (industrial) |Diesel |220 |
| Combined cycle
|Natural gas |363 |
| rowspan="2" |Gezer
| rowspan="2" |Ramla |Gas (industrial) |Natural gas |592 |
| Combined cycle
|Natural gas |744 |
| Hartuv
| |Gas (jet) |Diesel |40 |
| Hagit
|Combined cycle |Natural gas |1,394 |
| Kinarot
| |Gas (jet) |Diesel |80 |
| Atarot
| |Gas (industrial) |Diesel |68 |
| Tzafit
|Gas (industrial), combined cycle |Natural gas, Diesel |580 |
| Caesarea
| |Gas (jet) |Diesel |130 |
| Ramat Hovav
|Gas (industrial), combined cycle |Natural gas |1,137 |
| Ra'anana
|Gas (jet) |Diesel |11 |
The following power plants belong to independent power producers and, although connected to the IEC’s distribution grid, are not operated by the IEC:
| class="wikitable sortable"
!Name!!Location!!Type of turbine!!Type of fuel!!Capacity (MW) |
| Dorad
|Gas (jet), combined cycle |Natural gas |840 |
| Dalya
|Combined cycle |Natural gas |870 |
| OPC Rotem
|Mishor Rotem |Combined cycle |Natural gas |440 |
=Renewable energy=
{{see also|Solar power in Israel}}
File:Israel renewable electricity production.svg
As of 2019, Israel's renewable energy production capacity stood at 1,500 MW, almost all of it from solar energy, at 1,438 MW. Additional sources included wind power (27 MW), biogas (25 MW), hydroelectric power (7 MW) and other bio energy (3 MW). Of the solar energy, photovoltaics accounted for 1,190 MW, while concentrated solar power contributed another 248 MW from the Ashalim Power Station.{{cite web|title=Renewable Capacity Statistics 2020|url=https://www.irena.org/publications/2020/Mar/Renewable-Capacity-Statistics-2020|website=irena.org|date=31 March 2020 |access-date=July 10, 2020|language=en|archive-date=6 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200406161002/https://www.irena.org/publications/2020/Mar/Renewable-Capacity-Statistics-2020|url-status=live}}
In the same year, 4.7% of Israel's total electricity consumption came from solar photovoltaics.{{Cite web|last=Potential according to installed capacity at end of year|title=דו"חות מצב משק החשמל|url=https://www.gov.il/he/departments/general/dochmeshek|access-date=2020-12-28|website=GOV.IL|language=he|archive-date=22 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122174855/https://www.gov.il/he/departments/general/dochmeshek|url-status=live}} Production capacity of some 0.56 GW was installed in 2019.{{Cite web|title=דו"חות מצב משק החשמל|url=https://www.gov.il/he/departments/general/dochmeshek|access-date=2020-12-28|website=GOV.IL|language=he|archive-date=22 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122174855/https://www.gov.il/he/departments/general/dochmeshek|url-status=live}}
In addition to renewable energy, Israel is building multiple pumped-storage hydroelectricity plants, for a total capacity of 800 MW.{{cite news|url=https://www.globes.co.il/news/article.aspx?did=1001173517|title=רשות החשמל לא תגדיל מכסת החשמל בתחנות הידרו-אלקטריות|trans-title=Electricity Authority Will Not Increase Hydroelectric Power Plant Quota|author=Yefet, Nati|work=Globes|date=January 24, 2017|access-date=July 10, 2020|language=he|archive-date=28 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128140320/https://www.globes.co.il/news/article.aspx?did=1001173517|url-status=live}}
In 2022, 11.8% of Israel's energy mix came from renewable energy sources, totaling 4,765 MW in renewable energy production capacity.{{Cite web |title=First time ever: Israel passes 10% mark in connecting renewable energy |url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-731412 |access-date=2023-06-01 |website=The Jerusalem Post {{!}} JPost.com |date=13 February 2023 |language=en-US}} The vast majority of Israel's renewable sources come from solar power, including from the Tze'elim, Ketura Sun, Ashalim Power Station, the 330 MW Dimona,{{Cite news |date=2021-06-12 |title=Shikun & Binui wins PPP tender for Israel's largest solar field |language=en |work=Globes |url=https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-shikun-binui-wins-ppp-tender-for-israels-largest-solar-field-1001393441 |access-date=2023-06-01}} and 250 MW Ta'anakh solar parks.{{Cite web |title=Largest photovoltaic power plant in Israel to commence operations |url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/largest-photovoltaic-power-plant-in-israel-to-commence-operations-604698 |access-date=2023-06-01 |website=The Jerusalem Post {{!}} JPost.com |date=15 October 2019 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Largue |first=Pamela |date=2023-04-21 |title=Israel's largest solar project launched |url=https://www.powerengineeringint.com/solar/israels-largest-solar-project-launched/ |access-date=2023-06-01 |website=Power Engineering International |language=en-US}}
Officials from the Israeli Government and The Electricity Authority have given the goal to reach 30% of the country's energy from renewable sources by 2030.{{Cite news |date=2023-09-05 |title=As power shortage looms for Israel, solutions lag |language=en |work=Globes |url=https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-as-power-shortage-looms-solutions-lag-1001445866 |access-date=2023-06-01}}{{Cite web |last=Proctor |first=Darrell |date=2023-05-03 |title=Israel Adding Energy Storage to Support Grid Integration for Renewables |url=https://www.powermag.com/israel-adding-energy-storage-to-support-grid-integration-for-renewables/ |access-date=2023-06-01 |website=POWER Magazine |language=en-US}} Despite this goal, a May 2023 OECD report warned Israel was falling behind on its emissions reduction objectives, largely due to natural gas extraction.{{Cite news |last=Curiel |first=Ilana |date=2023-05-31 |title=Israel misses the mark on environmental goals, damning OECD report says |language=en |work=Ynetnews |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/environment/article/h1glt00nu2 |access-date=2023-06-01}}{{Cite web |title=Israel not on track to meet its climate ambitions, OECD warns |url=https://www.jpost.com/environment-and-climate-change/article-744686 |access-date=2023-06-01 |website=The Jerusalem Post {{!}} JPost.com |date=31 May 2023 |language=en-US}}
In June 2023, Israel's largest renewable energy project, Enlight Renewable Energy's Genesis Wind, began operations near the Israeli villages of Keshet and Yonatan in the Golan Heights.{{Cite web |title=Genesis Spirit wind farm |url=https://www.gem.wiki/Genesis_Spirit_wind_farm |access-date=2023-09-18 |website=Global Energy Monitor |language=en}} The new wind farm is 207MW, will provide 70,000 households with clean energy, has a 27 kilometer HV 161 kV underground cable, and will save about 180,000 tons of annual CO2 emissions.{{Cite news |title=Israel's biggest renewable energy project begins operation |url=https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-israels-biggest-renewable-energy-project-begins-operation-1001449148 |date=2023-06-12 |website=Globes}}
In 2023, citing lack of land for ground solar PV parks, Israel mandated that all newly constructed commercial buildings install rooftop photovoltaic solar panels.{{Cite news |last=Rabinovitch |first=Ari |date=2023-06-20 |title=Lacking land, Israel to cover its rooftops with solar panels |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/lacking-land-israel-cover-its-rooftops-with-solar-panels-2023-06-20/ |access-date=2023-06-26}}{{Cite web |last=Papadopoulos |first=Loukia |date=2023-06-20 |title=Israel to cover all new non-residential buildings with solar panels |url=https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/israel-to-cover-all-new-non-residential-buildings-with-solar-panels |access-date=2023-06-26 |website=interestingengineering.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2023-06-21 |title=Israel to Cover All New Non-Residential Buildings with Solar Panels |url=https://www.financial-world.org/news/news/financial/20692/israel-to-cover-all-new-nonresidential-buildings-with-solar-panels/ |access-date=2023-06-26 |website=Financial World |language=en}} In September 2023, Israel added more than 2 GW to the national energy grid to connect renewable energy projects, specifically solar, to the grid.{{Cite web |last=Chandak |first=Pooja |date=2023-09-11 |title=Israel To Add 2,000 Megawatts To National Grid For Renewable Energy |url=https://solarquarter.com/2023/09/11/israel-to-add-2000-megawatts-to-national-grid-for-renewable-energy/ |access-date=2023-09-18 |website=SolarQuarter |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Yuen |first=Simon |date=2023-09-11 |title=Israel to add 2GW of renewables to its grid |url=https://www.pv-tech.org/israel-to-add-2gw-of-renewables-to-its-grid/ |access-date=2023-09-18 |website=PV Tech |language=en-US}}
=Nuclear energy=
{{main|Nuclear energy in Israel}}
Israel has no nuclear power generation as of 2013, although it operates a heavy water nuclear reactor at Negev Nuclear Research Center.
In January 2007, Israeli Infrastructure Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer said his country should consider producing nuclear power for civilian purposes.{{cite web | publisher = Agence France-Presse | url = http://www.energy-daily.com/reports/Israel_Should_Develop_Nuclear_Energy_999.html | title = Israel Should Develop Nuclear Energy | date = 23 January 2007 | access-date = 14 July 2007 | archive-date = 19 November 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181119003530/http://www.energy-daily.com/reports/Israel_Should_Develop_Nuclear_Energy_999.html | url-status = live }} However, as a result of the Fukushima nuclear disaster, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on 17 March 2011, "I don't think we're going to pursue civil nuclear energy in the coming years."[http://piersmorgan.blogs.cnn.com/2011/03/17/israel-prime-minister-netanyahu-japan-situation-has-caused-me-to-reconsider-nuclear-power/ Israel Prime Minister Netanyahu: Japan situation has "caused me to reconsider" nuclear power] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190930221401/http://piersmorgan.blogs.cnn.com/2011/03/17/israel-prime-minister-netanyahu-japan-situation-has-caused-me-to-reconsider-nuclear-power/ |date=30 September 2019 }} Piers Morgan on CNN, published 2011-03-17, accessed 17 March 2011[http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-03/18/c_13784578.htm Israeli PM cancels plan to build nuclear plant] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525170126/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-03/18/c_13784578.htm |date=25 May 2017 }}, Xinhuanet, published 2011-03-18, accessed 17 March 2011[http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4043982,00.html Netanyahu: We'll reconsider nuclear power plans] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190414014053/https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4043982,00.html |date=14 April 2019 }} Ynetnews, published 2011-03-18, accessed 17 March 2011
Solar water heating
{{see also|Solar power in Israel}}
Israel is one of the world leaders in the use of solar thermal energy per capita.{{Cite web |url=http://www.neaman.org.il/neaman/publications/publication_item.asp?fid=590&parent_fid=490&iid=3639 |title=The Samuel Neaman Institute for Advanced Studies in Science and Technology — Publications — Solar energy for the production of heat Summary and recommendations of the 4th assembly of the energy forum at SNI |access-date=30 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110822052730/http://www.neaman.org.il/neaman/publications/publication_item.asp?fid=590&parent_fid=490&iid=3639 |archive-date=22 August 2011 |url-status=dead }}
Since the early 1990s, all new residential buildings have been required by the government to install solar water-heating systems, and Israel's National Infrastructure Ministry estimates that solar panels for water-heating satisfy 4% of the country's total energy demand.{{cite news |title=At the Zenith of Solar Energy |first=Neal |last=Sandler |url=http://www.businessweek.com/stories/2008-03-26/at-the-zenith-of-solar-energybusinessweek-business-news-stock-market-and-financial-advice |newspaper=Bloomberg Businessweek |date=26 March 2008 |access-date=12 August 2012 |archive-date=2 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140802131224/http://www.businessweek.com/stories/2008-03-26/at-the-zenith-of-solar-energybusinessweek-business-news-stock-market-and-financial-advice |url-status=dead }}
Israel and Cyprus are the per-capita leaders in the use of solar hot water systems with over 90% of homes using them.{{cite web| author=Del Chiaro, Bernadette| author2=Telleen-Lawton, Timothy| title=Solar Water Heating (How California Can Reduce Its Dependence on Natural Gas)| publisher=Environment California Research and Policy Center| url=http://www.environmentcalifornia.org/uploads/at/56/at563bKwmfrtJI6fKl9U_w/Solar-Water-Heating.pdf| access-date=29 September 2007| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927082332/http://www.environmentcalifornia.org/uploads/at/56/at563bKwmfrtJI6fKl9U_w/Solar-Water-Heating.pdf| archive-date=27 September 2007| url-status=dead}}
The Ministry of National Infrastructures estimates solar water heating saves Israel {{convert|2|Moilbbl|m3}} of oil a year.[http://www2.technion.ac.il/~ises/papers/IsraelSectionISESfinal.pdf Israeli Section of the International Solar Energy Society] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051214135930/http://www2.technion.ac.il/~ises/papers/IsraelSectionISESfinal.pdf |date=14 December 2005 }}, edited by Gershon Grossman, Faculty of Mechanical Energy, Technion, Haifa; Final draft.
See also
References
{{Reflist|refs=
{{cite news|url=http://www.calcalist.co.il/local/articles/0,7340,L-3696029,00.html|title=Private Power Stations Now Produce 29% of Israel's Electricity|author=Gutman, Lior|work=Calcalist|date=20 August 2016|access-date=21 August 2016|language=he|archive-date=31 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331075919/https://www.calcalist.co.il/local/articles/0,7340,L-3696029,00.html|url-status=live}}
{{cite report|url=https://www.cbs.gov.il/he/mediarelease/DocLib/2019/001/03_19_001b.pdf|title=Energy Balance, 2017|date=6 January 2019|publisher=Israel Central Bureau of Statistics|pages=8–9|access-date=6 January 2019|language=he|archive-date=16 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191216210404/https://www.cbs.gov.il/he/mediarelease/DocLib/2019/001/03_19_001b.pdf|url-status=live}}
{{cite news|url=http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/docview.asp?did=1000766803&fid=1725|title=Electricity reserves dwindling precariously|author=Barkat, Amiram|work=Globes|date=18 July 2012|access-date=26 April 2013|archive-date=11 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191211160008/http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/docview.asp?did=1000766803&fid=1725|url-status=live}}
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{{commons category}}
{{Energy in Israel}}
{{Asia topic|Energy in}}