Electricity in Israel in 2023
In 2023, Israel's electricity consumption heavily relies on fossil fuels, with around 89% of its electricity generated from such sources. Gas is the primary fossil fuel utilized, contributing around 71% to the electricity mix, followed by coal at almost 18%. Low-carbon energy sources account for just over 10% of the electricity generation in the country. Solar energy is the predominant low-carbon source, contributing nearly 9%, while other low-carbon options make up a small fraction. The current state portrays a clear dominance of fossil energy, underscoring the need for Israel to boost its efforts in expanding low-carbon electricity production to combat climate change and reduce air pollution.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, Ember and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Israel?
There is a slight decrease in overall electricity consumption in Israel when comparing the latest 2023 data with previous years. In 2023, electricity consumption stands at 8039 kWh per person, which is a reduction of about 246 kWh per person compared to the peak in 2019. Despite this decrease in total consumption, there is a promising shift towards low-carbon generation. The 2023 figure for low-carbon electricity generation has jumped to 845 kWh per person, an increase of 208 kWh per person from the last record in 2022. While overall consumption demonstrates a concerning dip, the surge in low-carbon electricity generation reflects a positive trend essential for sustainable development.
Suggestions
To significantly bolster low-carbon electricity output, Israel can learn from successful countries and states. Considering its sunny climate, Israel should expand solar energy generation, much like Lebanon, where solar contributes around 31% to its electricity mix. Additionally, the adoption of nuclear power, as seen in nuclear-reliant countries like France, where nuclear energy provides 69% of their electricity, can serve as an effective model. Embracing both solar and nuclear energy can position Israel as a leader in clean energy production, leveraging these reliable and sustainable sources to supersede fossil fuels.
History
Israel's journey with low-carbon electricity, particularly solar and some wind, has been on an upward trajectory since 2010. Initially, solar growth was modest, with incremental increases annually until a more substantial rise in 2019, where solar generation surged by 1 TWh. The trend continued in 2020 with various contributions, despite wind's minor setback. By 2023, solar saw a remarkable leap of 1.6 TWh, joined by wind's recovery and small growth. The focus predominantly on solar highlights Israel's commitment to leveraging its natural abundance of sunshine, paving the way toward a greener future. As we look ahead, maintaining the momentum in solar and potentially integrating nuclear could transform Israel's electricity landscape dramatically.
