Electricity in Israel in 2023
In 2023, Israel's electricity consumption is largely dominated by fossil fuels, which make up nearly 90% of the total. Natural gas is the major contributor within this category, accounting for over 70% of electricity consumption, while coal represents close to 18%. Low-carbon energy sources contribute slightly more than 10% of the total electricity mix, primarily through solar power, which provides more than 9% of the electricity. The reliance on fossil fuels brings with it significant challenges related to climate change and air pollution, underscoring the need for a greater shift towards greener, more sustainable energy sources.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, Ember and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Israel?
Despite Israel's high reliance on fossil fuels, there are indications of evolving energy consumption patterns. The total electricity consumption per person in 2023 was 8039 kWh, which marks a reduction from the peak consumption of 8285 kWh per person recorded in 2019. This decline is a cause for concern, as growing electricity demand is essential for supporting the increasing electrification of society and technological advancements, including AI. On a positive note, low-carbon electricity generation per capita has increased notably, reaching 845 kWh per person in 2023, up from the previous record of 637 kWh per person in 2022. This growth in clean electricity is encouraging and should be further accelerated to ensure a sustainable future.
Suggestions
To expand its low-carbon electricity generation, Israel could benefit from looking at successful models in other regions. Countries like France and Slovakia demonstrate the potential of nuclear energy, contributing over 60% of their electricity from this clean source. Israel can draw inspiration from these countries to develop its nuclear capacity. Additionally, solar energy, which is already a significant part of Israel's low-carbon mix, could be further expanded, learning from cases like North Macedonia, where solar accounts for nearly half of their electricity. Through strategic investments in solar and potentially nuclear energy, Israel can boost its clean electricity share, aligning with global sustainability goals and reducing its carbon footprint.
History
Looking back at the historical data on low-carbon electricity in Israel, there has been a consistent, albeit slow, growth in solar energy from 2010 onwards. Beginning with a near-zero increase in 2010, the growth picked up pace over the years, with significant increases in the late 2010s and early 2020s. Notably, 2023 saw a substantial rise in solar power generation by 1.6 TWh, accompanied by a positive, though smaller, growth in wind energy. Despite biofuels being a part of the low-carbon mix, their contribution has remained close to none, with more notable developments in wind and solar energy. This historical growth trajectory reflects Israel's gradual movement towards a cleaner energy mix, which now needs to be accelerated to keep pace with the global energy transition and future electricity demands.
